Brad Owen
| Brad Owen | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 15th Lieutenant Governor of Washington | |
|
In office January 15, 1997 – January 10, 2017 |
|
| Governor |
Gary Locke Christine Gregoire Jay Inslee |
| Preceded by | Joel Pritchard |
| Succeeded by | Cyrus Habib |
| Member of the Washington Senate from the 35th district |
|
|
In office January 10, 1983 – January 15, 1997 |
|
| Preceded by | Ruthe Ridder |
| Succeeded by | Lena Swanson |
| Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 24th district |
|
|
In office January 10, 1977 – January 10, 1983 |
|
| Preceded by | Leona Savage Osterman |
| Succeeded by | Richard Fisch |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
May 23, 1950 Tacoma, Washington, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Linda Owen |
| Children | 6 |
| Website | Government website |
Bradley "Brad" Owen (born May 23, 1950) is an American politician. He is a member of the Democratic Party, having served as the 15th Lieutenant Governor of Washington, from 1997 to 2017.
Owen was a small business owner before entering politics. He was elected as Shelton City Finance Commissioner and to the Washington House of Representatives in 1976 and served in those capacities until 1983, when he was elected to the Washington State Senate. In 1989, he formed a non-profit organization called Strategies for Youth, first as a way to fight substance abuse among Washington's young people and later with a greater emphasis on bullying and respecting diversity. The program concluded in 2011.
In 1996, Owen moved from the legislature to the executive branch with his election as lieutenant governor. He was re-elected to that position in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. Following findings by the state's Executive Ethics Commission that Owen improperly used tax-payer resources, which led to a $15,000 fine being imposed against him, Owen announced that he would not seek another term in the 2016 election. Prior to that announcement, three current legislators from his own party had already begun campaigning for his office. His current term expired in January 2017. He was succeeded in office by Cyrus Habib.
Owen is opposed to abortion, he campaigns against drug use and drug legalisation and he is described as "lukewarm" on gay rights. He has received criticism for his work ethic, not working outside of the legislative calendar, working from home and prioritising his outside business interests ahead of his duties as Lieutenant Governor. In September 2014 he was fined $15,000 for breaking state law by using state resources to run Strategies for Youth, his personal non-profit group.
On April 2, 2008, the King of Spain Juan Carlos I bestowed the Order of Isabella the Catholic, or Spanish knighthood, on Owen.
...
Wikipedia