Dino Rossi: 7 Key Facts About Sammamish's New State Senator

SAMMAMISH, WA - The King County Council has chosen former Republican state representative Dino Rossi to fill the open state Senate seat in the 45th Legislative District, which covers Sammamish, Kirkland, Redmond, and Woodinville. Rossi was sworn in at the King County Courthouse Monday afternoon.

Republican Andy Hill represented the 45th Legislative District in the Senate until his death in October. Hill was in the third year of his four-year term.

You might know Rossi's name, but if you don't know anything about him, here are seven key facts.

1. He's local. Rossi lives in Sammamish, was born in Seattle, raised in Mountlake Terrace, and graduated from Woodway High School in Edmonds. He's a 1982 graduate of Seattle University.
2. He has political experience. Rossi first ran for the state Senate in 1992, but lost in the general election. He went on to win election in 1996 representing the Sammamish area. He ran for governor in 2004 and 2008, losing both times to former Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire. Rossi challenged Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray in 2010; he beat Tea Party Republican Clint Didier in the primary, but lost to Murray in the general election.
3. He's been appointed before. In 2012, Rossi served for about four months replacing state Sen. Cheryl Pflug in the 5th Legislative District, which covered parts of Sammamish before redistricting. Democrat and former Issaquah city councilman Mark Mullet won the seat in November 2012 and still holds it today.
4. He's OK with Trump. In the state's Republican convention this year, Rossi was elected as a Ted Cruz delegate, but the Seattle Times reported that he would have "no problem supporting Trump" at the national GOP convention.
5. He has charitable experience. Rossi serves on the board of directors for Special Olympics Washington.
6. He's had a career outside politics. He's worked in real estate, and is a principal at Coast Equity Partners in Everett. The firm invests in commercial properties around the Pacific Northwest.
7. He has budget-writing experience. In 2002, Rossi was chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, which helps write state budgets. This experience is key for Rossi - Andy Hill was one of the state GOP's lead budget writers.

Do you live in the 45th Legislative District? Check the district map boundaries here.

Image via King County