James Dwight Honeyford[1] (born January 24, 1939) is an American politician of the Republican Party.[2] He served as a member of the Washington State Senate, representing the 15th district between 1999 and 2023.[3][4]

Jim Honeyford
Member of the Washington Senate
from the 15th district
In office
January 11, 1999 – January 9, 2023
Preceded byIrv Newhouse
Succeeded byNikki Torres
Member of the Washington House of Representatives
from the 15th district
In office
January 9, 1995 – January 10, 1999
Preceded byMargaret Rayburn
Succeeded byBruce Chandler
Personal details
Born
James Dwight Honeyford

(1939-01-24) January 24, 1939 (age 85)
Ontario, Oregon, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJerri
Children4
Alma materCentral Washington University (BA, MEd)
ProfessionTeacher
WebsiteOfficial

Early life and education

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Honeyford was born in Ontario, Oregon. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and a Master of Education from Central Washington University.[5]

Career

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From 1960 to 1965, Honeyford served as an officer in the Ellensburg Police Department. He also worked as a teacher, coach, and librarian in the Ellensburg School District. Honeyford served as a member of the Washington House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999 and the Washington State Senate from 1999 to 2023.[6]

In February 2011, Honeyford walked out on a legislative hearing in protest of "ghost bills" that are heard in committee, but not written until later.[7] In September 2011, he was awarded the "Key Award" by the Washington Coalition for Open Government.[8]

On March 2, 2015, Seattle-based newspaper The Stranger reported that, during a committee hearing about a proposed racial impact statement bill, Honeyford shared his belief that "poor" and "colored" people were most likely to commit crimes.[9]

Awards

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  • 2014 Guardians of Small Business award. Presented by NFIB.[10]

References

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  1. ^ Diamond Anniversary Commencement. 1967. Retrieved 2021-12-21. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  2. ^ Sen. Jim Honeyford (R-WA 15th District)
  3. ^ 15th Legislative District Map
  4. ^ Project Vote Smart - Sen. Honeyford
  5. ^ "Jim Honeyford". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  6. ^ Smith, Kate. "Sen. Honeyford looks back on 28 years in Legislature, 60 years of service". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  7. ^ "State Sen. Jim Honeyford Walks Out of Olympia Legislative Hearing in Protest of Secrecy". Archived from the original on 2011-02-24. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  8. ^ Open Government Award Given to State Sen. Jim Honeyford
  9. ^ Republican State Senator: Poor, "Colored" People Are More Likely to Commit Crimes
  10. ^ "69 Lawmakers Win Main Street's Highest Award". nfib.com. May 12, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2021.