Mike Lowry

Background

Lowry, Mike was born on March 8, 1939 in St. John, Washington, District of Columbia, United States. Son of Robert M. and Helen (White) Lowry.

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Washington State University, Pullman, 1962.

Career

Lowry is a Democrat. He had a brief career working for the Washington State Senate and as a lobbyist for Group Health Cooperative before being elected to the King County Council in 1975. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives from Washington"s Seventh Congressional District in 1978, where he served until 1989. Lowry twice ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate.

In a 1983 special election, he was defeated by Republican former Governor Dan Evans, then an appointed Senator and the incumbent, in a race to replace Democrat Henry "Scoop" Jackson, and in 1988 he lost to Slade Gorton, also a Republican, in a close race.

Lowry was elected governor in 1992 and served for a single term. His principal policy initiative was enactment of a statewide system of health insurance with premiums based on ability to pay.

He chose not to run for re-election to a second term due to a sexual harassment scandal in which his deputy press secretary, Susanne Albright, accused him of making inappropriate remarks and fondling her. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Commissioner of Public Lands in 2000.

More recently, Lowry has been active in building affordable housing for Washington"s migrant farm workers.

According to some reports, Lowry shaved off a beard he formerly sported specifically to avoid comparisons to the Palestinian leader.

Achievements

• Mike Lowry has been listed as a noteworthy governor, congressman by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Chairman King County Housing and Community Development Block Grant Program, 1977. President Washington Association Counties, 1978.

Connections

Married Mary Carlson, April 6, 1968. 1 child, Diane.

Father:

Robert M. Lowry

Mother:

Helen (White) Lowry

Spouse:

Mary Carlson

child:

Diane Lowry