Mark Douglas Mullet (born August 14, 1972)[1] is an American businessman and politician of the Democratic Party. A moderate, he is a member of the Washington State Senate, representing the 5th Legislative District.[2]

Mark Mullet
Mullet in 2024
Member of the Washington Senate
from the 5th district
Assumed office
November 30, 2012
Preceded byDino Rossi
Personal details
Born
Mark Douglas Mullet

(1972-08-14) August 14, 1972 (age 52)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseKelley Stryer
EducationIndiana University (BS)
University of Washington (MPA)
WebsiteState Senate website

Mullet, after more than 12 years in international finance at Bank of America, became a small business owner who owns Zeek's Pizza and Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream franchises in Issaquah.[3][4]

Early life

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His father was Steve Mullet, a former Mayor of Tukwila, Washington from 2000-2007.[5]

Mullet is a graduate of Foster High School.[6] He earned a B.S. in Finance from Indiana University, and a Master's in Public Affairs from the Evans School at the University of Washington in 2008.[6] Mullet was the Washington High School State Tennis Champion in 1989 and 1990.

Career

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Mullet is a small business owner, owning Zeek's Pizza and Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream franchises in the Issaquah and Sammamish area.[6] Mullet had previously served as a Managing Director at Bank of America, serving as the Global Head of Foreign Currency Options Trading.[6]

Before being elected to the state senate, Mullet served as a member of the Issaquah City Council, from 2009–2012.[7] Mullet names Grand Ridge Plaza, a mixed-use retail center, and a plastic bag ban as his key accomplishments while on city council.

Elections

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In 2012, Mullet was elected state senator representing Washington's 5th Legislative District by a 54.31% to 45.38% majority over his opponent Brad Toft.[8]

Committee assignments

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As of January 2019, Mullet is the Chair of the Financial Institutions, Economic Development and Trade Committee as well as a member of the Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee and Ways and Means Committee.[9][10]

Legislation

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Mullet sponsored and passed legislation increasing access to epi pens in schools,[11] allowing annexation of the Maple Valley Donut Hole,[12] and increasing health care cost transparency.[13]

Mullet helped secure capital funding for projects throughout the 5th Legislative District, including: Lake Sammamish State Park improvements, road improvements on I-90 and the Pickering Place Retail Center, improvements at Camp Korey, a grant for the Railway History Museum in Snoqualmie, repairs at the Fire Training Academy in North Bend, and funding to help build a new Tahoma High School within Maple Valley.[9][10]

2024 gubernatorial election

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On June 1, 2023, Mullet announced that he was running for governor.[14]

In May of 2024, Mullet filed an ethics complaint against Attorney General Bob Ferguson claiming that Ferguson used his office to influence a decision on candidate ballot ordering in the State Secretary's office to remove two other candidates named Bob Ferguson.[15]

In the August 2024 primary, Mullet finished fourth, garnering roughly 6% of the vote. He finished behind Ferguson (45%), former King County Sheriff Dave Reichert (28%), and former school board member Semi Bird (9%).[16]

Awards

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  • 2021 City Champion Awards. Presented by Association of Washington Cities (AWC).[17]

References

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  1. ^ "2019-2020 Legislative Manual" (PDF). State of Washington. 2019. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  2. ^ "Senator Mark Mullet, official legislative page". Washington State Legislature. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
  3. ^ "Gad Zeeks! — in Issaquah: city councilman-to-be talks pizza". Seattle Times. September 24, 2009. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  4. ^ Lee, Suzanne (December 5, 2016). "Ben & Jerry's Wins Issaquah Reader's Choice Awards". Grand Ridge Plaza. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  5. ^ "Past Mayors of Tukwila". City of Tukwila. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d "About Mark". sdc.wastateleg.org. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  7. ^ Kagarise, Warren (January 8, 2013). "Mark Mullet reflects on City Council term". Issaquah Press. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  8. ^ "November 6, 2012 General Election". King County Elections. November 20, 2002. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Sen. Mark Mullet – Washington State Senate Democrats – Biography". sdc.wastateleg.org.
  10. ^ a b "Official Senate Biography". Washington State Legislature.
  11. ^ Egge, Rose. "Wash. schools can now give allergy meds without prescription". KOMO News.
  12. ^ Kear, Kathleen. "The Voice of the Valley". Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  13. ^ Stiffler, Lisa (March 13, 2014). "New laws will help consumers find cheapest, best docs and hospitals". The Seattle Times.
  14. ^ Withycombe, Claire (1 June 2023). "State Sen. Mark Mullet announces bid for WA governor". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023.
  15. ^ Zodrow, Andru. "State Senator Mark Mullet makes ethics complaint against AG Bob Ferguson". KHQ.
  16. ^ Slauson, Tyler (August 6, 2024). "Live election results for WA's 2024 primary election". Fox13 Seattle.
  17. ^ "Association of Washington Cities recognizes 11 state legislators with 2021 City Champion Awards". wacities.org. July 28, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
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