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Joe Zarelli

Joseph Zarelli
Member of the Washington Senate
from the 18th legislative district
In office
December 11, 1995 (1995-12-11) – May 31, 2012 (2012-05-31)
Preceded by Hal Palmer
Succeeded by Ann Rivers
Personal details
Born Joseph Peter Zarelli
(1961-10-07) October 7, 1961 (age 55)
Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Lori Michele Harrison (1982–1983)
Tani Bertelsen (1985–2014)
Residence Ridgefield, Washington
Alma mater Clark College (A.A.)
Profession Business president
Religion Christian
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch Seal of the United States Department of the Navy (alternate).svg United States Navy
Years of service 1982 – 1989 (7 years)

Joseph Peter "Joe" Zarelli (born October 7, 1961) is an American former politician of the Republican Party. He was a member of the Washington State Senate representing Washington's 18th legislative district from 1995 to 2012.

After serving as a top Senate Republican for several years, Zarelli announced his retirement at the end of his current term on May 19, 2012

Jaime Herrera was an intern in Zarelli's office and he was a major supporter of her rise in politics.

According to his official Legislative biography, Senator Zarelli owns a company specializing in business development and risk management services. He has an Associate's degree from Clark College. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1982 to 1989. Joe and his wife Tani, have four daughters and two grandchildren. The couple filed petitions for divorce and for legal separation in November 2013.

Zarelli was briefly dogged by controversy in 2002 when the Seattle Times reported on the fact that he collected unemployment while simultaneously serving in the State Legislature. This was seen as especially embarrassing because Zarelli had a well-established political identity as a fiscal conservative. Zarelli defended himself by arguing that the State Employment Security Department had found him to be eligible for benefits, and there were never any allegations of unsavory dealings behind the awarding of benefits. The controversy soon passed.



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