Secretary of State Steve Hobbs

Steve Hobbs is Washington’s 16th Secretary of State. He began his tenure in 2021 and was elected by the people of Washington in 2022. He is the first person of color to serve as Secretary of State and only the second in state history who was born in Washington.

Secretary Hobbs leads one of Washington’s most diverse state-government offices, which is responsible for managing state and local elections, corporation and charity filings, the Washington State Library, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library, and the Washington State Archives. In addition, his office oversees the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees, the Productivity Board state employee suggestion incentives program, and the Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.

When Secretary Hobbs assumed office, he prioritized greater election security, countering misleading and harmful election disinformation, and expanded voter education and outreach. In addition, he pledged to preserve Washington’s unique and rich history by enhancing Washington State Archives’ and Washington State Library’s capacity and ability to store and share state documents and other records.

Prior to becoming Secretary of State, Hobbs was the state senator for Washington’s 44th legislative district from 2006 to 2021. During his tenure, he served on numerous committees, including the Transportation Committee as chair. He adopted an expansive policy agenda that emphasized local job creation through helping small businesses and improving transportation infrastructure. In addition, he was dedicated to helping veterans and working with communities to create new and innovative approaches to strengthening education.

Secretary Hobbs enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1987 as a private and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel with the Washington Army National Guard. He proudly served in Kosovo and Iraq, and was mobilized to command 750 service members during Washington’s COVID-19 response. As state senator, he worked with service members to develop legislation ranging from help in education, finding good family-wage jobs, and protecting veterans’ rights.

Raised in a working-class family, Secretary Hobbs learned the value of hard work and education. He received an associate degree from Everett Community College and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science and public administration, respectively, from the University of Washington.

Secretary Hobbs is a proud husband and father. He married his wife Pam in 1995, and together they raised three boys: Gavin, Truman, and Winston. Gavin and Winston are attending the University of Washington and have enlisted in the Washington Army National Guard. Truman, a Special Olympics Athlete, won a bronze medal in swimming at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Fla.