Tina Podlodowski
Tina Podlodowski | |
|---|---|
| File:Podlodowski-2019.jpg | |
| Chair of the Washington Democratic Party | |
| In office January 28, 2017 – January 28, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Jaxon Ravens |
| Succeeded by | Shasti Conrad |
| Member of the Seattle City Council Position 7 | |
| In office January 1, 1996 – January 1, 2000 | |
| Preceded by | Jim Street |
| Succeeded by | Heidi Wills |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 26, 1960 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Hartford (BA) |
Tina M. Podlodowski (born 1960) is an American businesswoman and politician who served as the chair of the Washington State Democratic Party for three terms. A member of the Democratic Party, and previously served as a member of the Seattle City Council from 1995 to 1999.
Education and Microsoft
Podlodowski graduated with a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Hartford.[1] After graduation she worked with a number of technology start-ups, finally coming to Microsoft in 1984, where she managed groups in product marketing, domestic and international sales, and eventually Microsoft's global training business. She managed 8 business hubs in the U.S and four in Europe and Asia.
Seattle City Council
She chose not to run for reelection in 1999, citing the split with her partner, Chelle Mileur, as the reason.[2] Heidi Wills, an aide to King County Executive Ron Sims would defeat former councilmember Charlie Chong in the November election.
Post-city council
In January 2016, Podlodowski announced that she would run against republican Kim Wyman, the incumbent Secretary of State of Washington, in the 2016 election.[3] Wyman defeated Podlodowski with 55% of the vote in a bruising race, centered on access to the ballot, postage paid ballots, same-day, registration, and pre-registration for 16 and 17 year olds.[4]
In January 2017, Podlodowski was elected to be the chair of the Washington State Democratic Party, defeating incumbent Jaxon Ravens.[5] As chair, the Washington Democrats increased their state House majority, took back the state Senate, won every statewide office, and flipped two Congressional districts. Podlodowski also served as a member of the Democratic National Committee, and chair of the DNC western states caucus as well as a member of the DNC executive committee. She did not run for another term in January 2023.[6] Podlodowski is now semi-retired and focused on rural economic and organizing issues on the Olympic Peninsula.
Personal life
References
- ↑ "Election Center". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedBow - ↑ Brunner, Jim (January 13, 2016). "Tina Podlodowski to challenge Secretary of State Kim Wyman". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
- ↑ "Washington Secretary of State Results: Kim Wyman Wins". The New York Times. November 29, 2016. Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
- ↑ "Washington Democrats opt for new leader". The News Tribune. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
- ↑ "WA Democratic Party Chair Tina Podlodowski stepping down". The Seattle Times. January 4, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
External links
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- 1960 births
- 21st-century American women politicians
- Candidates in the 2016 United States elections
- Living people
- Place of birth missing (living people)
- Seattle City Council members
- State political party chairs of Washington (state)
- University of Hartford alumni
- Washington (state) Democrats
- Women city councillors in Washington (state)