Doug Ericksen

Douglas "Doug" Ericksen
Member of the Washington State Senate
from the 42nd district
Assumed office
2011
Personal details
Born (1969-01-28) January 28, 1969
Bellingham, Washington
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Tasha Ericksen
Residence Ferndale, Washington
Website Official

Douglas "Doug" Ericksen (born January 28, 1969) is an American politician of the Republican Party. He is a member of the Washington State Senate, District 42.[1]

42nd Legislative Senator Douglas Ericksen joined the Washington State Senate's Minority Coalition Caucus and serves as the ranking member of the Senate Energy, Environment and Telecommunications Committee.

In May 2013, the Associated Press reported that Ericksen was "the biggest beneficiary of lobbyist expense accounts" among Washington state legislators during the first four months of 2013, receiving the equivalent of US$2,029.30 in free meals.[2][3]

In February 2016, Erickson added language to a solar energy bill (Washington Bill HB2346) that would cause sections of the bill to expire if a law imposing limits on greenhouse emissions were passed. The amended bill did not pass the Senate.[4]

In November 2016, in response to the protests against Donald Trump, Erickson authored a bill that would treat some common protest actions, such as blocking traffic and rail lines, as economic terrorism and allow for felony prosecution of individuals who take part in such action.

In January 2017, Ericksen accepted the Temporary position of interim director of communications with the US EPA but stated he does not intend to resign his senate seat,[5] Constituents have voiced concerns that Ericksen is failing to adequately represent them while continuing to collect a paycheck from the taxpayers of Washington State.[6]

In May 2018 Ericksen joined fellow state senator Michael Baumgartner, Representative Vincent Buys, and football coach Mike Leach on a good will trip to Cambodia.[7] He met with Cambodia’s Prime Minister of 33 years Hun Sen and praised him for his commitment to human rights and open elections, praise which is at odds with the US State Departments assessment of the Cambodian regime.[8][9] Ericksen's actions were widely condemned by NGOs such as Human Rights Watch, which said of the delegation "they hold in contempt the principles of free and fair elections, an independent media, and a neutral election administration—because all those things are lacking in Hun Sen’s Cambodia."[10]

In June 2018, Ericksen kicked off his bid for re-election with the theme: "Want a Friend? Get a Dog." The advertisement appeared on Ericksen's Facebook page.[11] If Ericksen is re-elected, it will be his third term as a State Senator.

References

  1. ↑ Project Vote Smart.org, Douglas Ericksen biography
  2. ↑ Baker, Mike (May 29, 2013). "Report: Ferndale lawmaker accepts most free meals from lobbyists". AP via Bellingham Herald. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  3. ↑ Associated Press (May 29, 2013). "Lobbyists pamper Washington state lawmakers with free meals in Olympia". AP via The Oregonian. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  4. ↑ HB 2346 - 2015-16, http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2346
  5. ↑ http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/trump-administration-taps-two-washington-state-legislators-to-help-reshape-epa/
  6. ↑ http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/state-sen-ericksen-constituents-matter/
  7. ↑ Dara, Mech. "US Senator holds talks on 'strengthening cooperation'". www.phnompenhpost.com. The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  8. ↑ "CAMBODIA 2017 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT" (PDF). state.gov. US State Department. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  9. ↑ Nauert, Heather. "Close of Candidate Registration Period for Cambodia's National Elections". state.gov. US State Department. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  10. ↑ Garbell, Chelsea. "Why Are Washington State Legislators Covering for Cambodia's Sham Elections?". thediplomat.com. the diplomat. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  11. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/SenEricksen/videos/10156468824263887/


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