Van De Wege resigns state senate seat

By Olympic Peninsula News Group • October 9, 2024 1:30 am
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Kevin Van De Wege, a candidate for the Commissioner for Public Lands, center, answers questions before a forum July 25 for the Olympic Peninsula Fire Commissioners Association from Clallam County Fire District 3 board chairman Jeff Nicholas and Jefferson County Fire Protection District 2 commissioner Marcia Kelbon, also a candidate for Van De Wege’s current senate seat. Van De Wege last week resigned his senate position.
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Kevin Van De Wege, a candidate for the Commissioner for Public Lands, center, answers questions before a forum July 25 for the Olympic Peninsula Fire Commissioners Association from Clallam County Fire District 3 board chairman Jeff Nicholas and Jefferson County Fire Protection District 2 commissioner Marcia Kelbon, also a candidate for Van De Wege’s current senate seat. Van De Wege last week resigned his senate position.

State Sen. Kevin Van De Wege resigned his expiring legislative seat on Oct. 1.

“It was a dream come true and the honor of my life to do this job for 18 years,” Van De Wege, D-Lake Sutherland, said in a press release last week.

“I’m so proud of all we were able to achieve on behalf of communities across the Peninsula and throughout our entire state. Now I’m ready to turn the page and begin the next chapter of my life.”

Van De Wege, 50, was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2006 and served in the Senate since 2017. Most recently, he was chair of the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee and also served on Ways & Means and the Health & Long Term Care committees.

“In 2022, I confided in my family this would be my final term,” he said.

“I leave with many great memories and the belief I always did my best. I didn’t win every fight — no one in Olympia ever does — but I think I won more than my share. I sure tried, and I’m proud of what was accomplished. I know that.”

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Kevin Van De Wege, a candidate for the Commissioner for Public Lands, speaks at a forum on July 25 for the Olympic Peninsula Fire Commissioners Association in Carlsborg. Van De Wege last week resigned his state senate seat.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Kevin Van De Wege, a candidate for the Commissioner for Public Lands, speaks at a forum on July 25 for the Olympic Peninsula Fire Commissioners Association in Carlsborg. Van De Wege last week resigned his state senate seat.

Van De Wege has been a firefighter most of his life, first joining the Whatcom County Fire District 3 as a high school senior. Since then, he has served as a firefighter for the communities of Sunnyside and Sequim and today serves as a captain for Clallam County Fire District 3.

“I step aside knowing our communities are in good hands. I couldn’t have asked for better seatmates or better people to work for,” he said.

“Most of all I am filled with gratitude for every single person living in the 24th Legislative District. To the people of Clallam, Jefferson and Grays Harbor counties — you trusted me to represent your needs for almost two decades, and I’ll never be able to fully express how humbled and grateful your trust has made me.”

Van De Wege and his wife Jennifer, an elementary school principal, live at Lake Sutherland and have two adult children.