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Washington’s Secretaries of State
- Sam Reed, a Republican, was elected Washington’s 14th Secretary of State in 2000. He served three terms. Born in 1941 in Portland, Oregon, Reed grew up in Wenatchee and Spokane. He attended Washington State University, earning degrees in Social Studies and Political Science.
- Thurston County Auditor five times, Reed became Secretary of State in 2000. As Secretary, he served as president of the National Association of Secretaries of State and received national honors.
- Ralph Munro, a Republican, was elected Washington’s 13th Secretary of State in 1980 serving five terms. Kim Wyman is the current 15th Secretary of State. How often Secretaries of State are elected varies – currently, 35 states elect them, usually for four-year terms.
Historical Cabinet Roles
- Washington’s first Cabinet in 1791 included Secretary of State Jefferson, Treasury Secretary Hamilton, War Secretary Knox, and Attorney General Randolph. Hamilton volunteered as Washington’s right-hand man but Princeton rejected him – Columbia accepted Hamilton.
Secretary of State Responsibilities
- Thomas Jefferson was the first Secretary of State. The Secretary of State runs elections and oversees petition signatures. A Washington Certificate of Existence shows a business is active and up-to-date with the Secretary of State.
- Charities can be trusts, associations, or corporations. The Secretary of State is an important foreign policy adviser. Jefferson favored closer French ties, but Washington chose neutrality. Madeleine Albright was the first female Secretary of State. Only two Secretaries of State were foreign-born. The Secretary of State is fourth in line for the presidency.
