Elected Officials Chronology - Olympia, Washington

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Former Olympia Mayors and Elected Officials

We are on the hunt for biographical information and photographas of former Olympia Mayors and elected officials, 1859 to the present, to post on the City's website. See lists below.

If you have information to share, contact Cathie Butler, City of Olympia Communications Manager, by phone 360.753.8361 or by email, cbutler@ci.olympia.wa.us.

Town Presidents, 1859-1871
Mayors, 1872-1924
Commissioners, 1925-1982
Councilmembers, 1982 to present

Official Actions to Create Olympia City Government

Olympia was named the capital city of Washington Territory on November 28, 1853. Incorporation as a Town occurred on January 28, 1859 by act of the territorial legislature.

INTERIM APPOINTED BOARD OF TRUSTEES: The Act of Incorporation provided that an election of officers should take place on the first Monday of April each year. Article 8, Section 1, also designated an interim Board of Trustees to serve until the first election.

Members of the interim Board of Trustees for the Town of Olympia appointed by Act of the Territorial Legislature were George A. Barnes, Joseph Cushman, Elwood Evans, T. F. (Thornton Fleming) McElroy, and James Tilton. At the first meeting of the interim Board on February 12, 1859, Cushman was appointed by his fellow trustees to serve as Chairman, and on February 24, 1859, he was elected by his fellow trustees to serve as President of the Board of Trustees until the election in April.

Editor Note:
See documents below for a copy of the Act of Incorporation (Charter).

FIRST ELECTED BOARD OF TRUSTEES: The first election of Town of Olympia Board of Trustees was held April 4, 1859. At the organizational meeting of the first elected Board on April 14, 1859, Elwood Evans was selected by his fellow trustees to serve as Town President for the year. George A. Barnes was selected to serve as Treasurer.

Editor Notes:
- Article 3, Section 1 of the Articles of Incorporation, Town of Olympia, states that "a general election for all town officers of the corporation required under this act shall be held on the first Monday in April of each year."
- Article 4, Section 1 of the Articles of Incorporation, Town of Olympia, states that "the members of the Board of Trustees shall annually elect one of their members President of the Board of Trustees, who shall hold office for one year or until his successor shall be elected and qualified."

MAYOR: According to the City Official Directory for the Year 1904 compiled by then Clerk V. A. Milroy (see Documents section below), the Office of Mayor was created November 11, 1873 which replaced the President of the Board position.

However, in official Town Minutes maintained by the City of Olympia Clerk's Office, W. W. (William Winlock) Miller is shown by the Clerk as being elected "in a municipal election" to the position of "Mayor" on April 1, 1872, and again on April 7, 1873. Town Minutes for officer elections prior to 1872 refer to the position as Town Board "President," and the appointment to that position was from within and by the Trustees.

Editor Note:
From the Minutes, it appears that W. W. (William Winlock) Miller was the first person elected by the citizenry to the position of Mayor in Olympia. See documents below for copies of Officer selection/election Minutes, April 12, 1871 and April 3, 1872.

CITY INCORPORATION: In 1882, the Town of Olympia incorporated as the City of Olympia. The elected officials consisted of the mayor and six members of the "Common Council of the City of Olympia."

COMMISSION FORM OF GOVERMENT: On November 16, 1925 the City government was changed to a three-member elected commission composed of the Mayor, Commissioner of Finance, and Commissioner of Public Works. The Commission began with three 3-year terms that were increased to four year terms in 1950.

COUNCIL-MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT: On May 18, 1982, the voters of Olympia approved the Council-Manager form of government. A new 7-member City Council was elected on November 2, 1982 and assumed office on November 18, 1982. The first meeting of the newly elected City Council was November 23, 1982. The Mayor was selected by the Councilmembers for a two-year term in January of each even numbered year.

In 1991 the voters approved the selection of the Mayor through election by the citizens, rather than through appointment by the Council. The Mayor is elected to serve a 4-year term.

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Historical Documents from City of Olympia Archives

Documents are posted as pdf files. They are from files maintained by the Olympia City Clerk's Office.

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Presidents of the Board of the Town of Olympia, Washington
1859 - 1871

Year

Name

Position

1859 (Feb-April)

Joseph Cushman

President, Town Board
(Interim appointment until election of Town Board of Trustees in Apri 1859)

1859 Elwood Evans President, Town Board
(First President of an elected Olympia Town Board of Trustees)
1860 Elwood Evans President, Town Board
1861 Elwood Evans President, Town Board
1862 George A. Barnes President, Town Board
1863 Joseph Cushman President, Town Board
1864 E. Giddings President, Town Board
1865 B. G. Yantis President, Town Board
1866 George A. Barnes President, Town Board
1867 George A. Barnes President, Town Board
1868 George A. Barnes President, Town Board
1869 George A. Barnes President, Town Board
1870 Francis Henry President, Town Board
1871 Francis Henry President, Town Board

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Mayors
1872-1924

Year

Name

Position

1872

William Winlock Miller

Mayor
1873 William Winlock Miller Mayor
1874 Ike C. Ellis Mayor
1875 Thornton F. McElroy Mayor
1876 J. C. Horr Mayor
1877 J. P. Judson Mayor
1878-79 E. N. Quinette Mayor
1880 George A. Barnes Mayor
1881 E. T. Young Mayor
1882-83 Dr. Nathaniel Ostrander Mayor
1884 J. S. Dobbins Mayor
1885 A. A. Phillips Mayor
1886-88 A. H. Chambers Mayor
1889-90 J. F. Gowey Mayor
1891 J. C. Horr Mayor
1892 Gen. R. G. O'Brien Mayor
1893 J. W. Robinson Mayor
1894-95 C. B. Mann Mayor
1896 Chas. H. Ayer Mayor
1897 John Byrne Mayor
1898 Geo. B. Lane Mayor
1899-1901 Caleb Springer (C.S.) Reinhart Mayor
1902-03 Clarence J. Lord Mayor
1904 H. G. Richardson Mayor
1905-06 Dr. P. H. Carlyon Mayor
1907 Thos. McLarty Mayor
1908 W. A. Hagemeyer Mayor
1909-11 Mitchell Harris Mayor
1912 Dr. Wayne L. Bridgford Mayor
1913-16 George A. Mottman Mayor
1917-20 Jesse T. Mills Mayor
1921-22 C. H. Bowen Mayor
1923-24 Geo. W. Draham Mayor

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City of Olympia Commissioners
1925-1982

Year

Name

Position
1925-28 James C. Johnson
E. N. Steele
Frank H. Phillips		 Mayor, Public Safety
Comm. of Finance
Comm. of Public Works
1929-31 George N. Mills
E. N. Steele
C. L. Dufault		 Mayor, Public Safety
Comm. of Finance
Comm. of Public Works
1932-34 E. N. Steele
Wm. W. Manier
*Chas. L. Dufault
Edw. C. Dohm		 Mayor, Public Safety
Comm. of Finance
Comm. of Public Works
Comm. of Public Works
1934-37 Dr. F. B. Longaker
David Gammell
Edw. C. Dohm		 Mayor, Public Safety
Comm. of Finance
Comm. of Public Works
1938-40 *Dr. F. B. Longaker
David Gammell
M.Y. Haskett
Edw. C. Dohm		 Mayor, Public Safety
Comm. of Finance, Mayor
Comm. of Finance
Comm. of Public Works
1941-43 J. T. Trullinger
M. Y. Haskett
Otis Gray Murray		 Mayor, Public Safety
Comm. of Finance
Comm. of Public Works
1944-46 J. T. Trullinger
M. Y. Haskett
Otis Gray Murray		 Mayor, Public Safety
Comm. of Finance
Comm. of Public Works
1947-49 Ernest Mallory
Dan L. McCaughan
W. A. Kellogg		 Mayor, Public Safety
Comm. of Finance
Comm. of Public Works
1950-53 Ralph A. Swanson
Dan L. McCaughan
*J. Ross Roberson
J. F. (Jack) Hamilton		 Mayor, Public Safety
Comm. of Finance
Comm. of Public Works
Comm. of Public Works
1953-56 Amanda Benek Smith
Claude Yount
J. F. (Jack) Hamilton
Thomas Allen		 Mayor, Public Safety
Comm. of Finance
Comm. of Public Works (died 10/13/54)
Comm. of Public Works (appointed 10/26/54)
1956-60 Amanda Benek Smith
*Frank McClanna
Dr. Matthew Kast
*Peter F. Skoog
*Herbert Legg
Clarence Shain		 Mayor, Public Safety
Comm. of Finance
Comm. of Finance
Comm. of Public Works
Comm. of Public Works
Comm. of Public Works
1960-64 Neil R. McKay
Thomas Allen
Ed. Krenik		 Mayor, Public Safety
Comm. of Finance
Comm. of Public Works
1964-69 Neil R. McKay
Thomas Allen
Gil Olson		 Mayor, Public Safety
Comm. of Finance
Comm. of Public Works
1969-73 Thomas P. Allen
George Earsley
*Gil Olson
Keith Kisor		 Mayor, Public Safety
Comm. of Finance
Comm. of Public Works
Comm. of Public Works (12/15/73)
1974-77 Thomas P. Allen
George Earsley
Keith Kisor		 Mayor, Public Safety
Comm. of Finance
Comm. of Public Works
1978-81 Lyle Watson
Ron Rants
Wm. Jacobs		 Mayor, Public Safety
Comm. of Finance
Comm. of Public Works
1982 Lyle Watson
David Skramstad
Wm. Daley		 Mayor, Public Safety
Comm. of Finance
Comm. of Public Works

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City of Olympia Mayor and City Council
1982-present

Year

Name

Position

11/9/82-12/85

David Skramstad
Pete Knittle
Mary Lux
Gilbert Carbone
William Daley
Holly Gadbaw
Joan Kelly

Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem

1/9/86-12/87

William Daley
Gilbert Carbone
Pete Knittle
Mary Lux
Holly Gadbaw
Joan Kelly
Rex Derr

Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem

1/1/88-12/89

Holly Gadbaw
Rex Derr
Gilbert Carbone
Pete Knittle
Mary Lux
William Daley
Cora Pinson

Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem

1/1/90-12/91

Rex Derr
Mary Lux
Gilbert Carbone
Holly Gadbaw
Sandra Romero
Nina Carter
Cora Pinson

Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem

In 1991 the voters approved the selection of the Mayor through election by the citizens, rather than by appointment of the Council. The Mayor is designated as position #1 and serves a 4-year term.

1/1/92-12/92

David A. Skramstad
Mary Lux
Rex Derr
Holly Gadbaw
Sandra Romero
Nina Carter
Mark Foutch

Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem

1/1/93-3/93

David A. Skramstad
Mary Lux
Rex Derr
Holly Gadbaw
Nina Carter
Mark Foutch
*Sandra Romero
Bob Jacobs

Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem




Resigned 1/5/93
(Jacobs appointed 1/12/93 to replace Sandra Romero)

3/93-12/93

David A. Skramstad
Bob Jacobs
Mary Lux
Rex Derr
Holly Gadbaw
Nina Carter
Mark Foutch
Margaret McPhee

Mayor-Resigned 3/2/93
Mayor-Selected by Council 3/2/93
Mayor Pro Tem




(McPhee appointed to replace David A. Skramstad)

1/3/94-12/95

Bob Jacobs
Mark Foutch
Pat Cole
Mary Lux
Holly Gadbaw
Margaret McPhee
Jeanette Hawkins

Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem

1/2/96-12/97

Bob Jacobs
Mark Foutch
Pat Cole
Laura Ware
Holly Gadbaw
Margaret McPhee
Jeanette Hawkins

Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem

1/98-12/99

Bob Jacobs
Mark Foutch
Stan Biles
Laura Ware
Holly Gadbaw
Margaret McPhee
Jeanette Hawkins

Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem

1/00-12/01

Stan Biles
Mark Foutch
Laura Ware
Curt Pavola
Holly Gadbaw
Margaret McPhee
Jeanette Hawkins

Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem

(Pavola appointed to open position when Stan Biles was elected Mayor)

8/00-12/01

Stan Biles
Mark Foutch
Laura Ware
Curt Pavola
Holly Gadbaw
TJ Johnson
Jeanette Hawkins

Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem



(Johnson appointed 8/15/00 to replace Margaret McPhee)

11/21/00-12/01

Stan Biles
Mark Foutch
Laura Ware
Curt Pavola
Holly Gadbaw
Doug Mah
Jeanette Hawkins

Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem

(Pavola elected-took seat on 11/21/01)

1/02-12/03

Stan Biles
Mark Foutch
Laura Ware
Curt Pavola
Matthew Green
Doug Mah
Jeanette Hawkins

Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem

1/04-12/05

Mark Foutch
Laura Ware
Matthew Green
Jeanette Hawkins
Joe Hyer
TJ Johnson
Doug Mah
Curt Pavola

Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem

(resigned 07/04)
(Hyer appointed 08/04 to replace Jeanette Hawkins)
1/06 - 12/07 Mark Foutch
Laura Ware
Joe Hyer
TJ Johnson
Jeff Kingsbury
Doug Mah
Karen Messmer 		 Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem

1/08 - 12/09

Doug Mah
Joe Hyer
Jeff Kingsbury
Joan Machlis
Karen Messmer
Craig Ottavelli
Jeannine Roe
Rhenda Strub

Mayor


(Machlis appointed 01/07/2008 to open position when Doug Mah was elected Mayor)

(Roe elected in the November 2009 General Election. Seated 11/24/09; replaced Machlis)
1/10 - 12/11

Doug Mah
Craig Ottavelli
Rhenda Iris Strub
Karen Rogers
Stephen H. Buxbaum
Jeannine Roe
Joe Hyer
Steve Langer
Jim Cooper

Mayor





(Hyer resigned 04/10/2010)
(Langer appointed 05/25/2010 to replace Hyer;
Cooper elected at November 2011 General Election to complete term;
Langer stepped down from appointed position.)
 1/12 - 12/13

Stephen H. Buxbaum
Jim Cooper
Julie Hankins
Nathaniel Jones
Steve Langer
Jeannine Roe
Karen Rogers 

 Mayor

 

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