The Thurston County Board of Commissioners took a moment of silence at the start of its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 5, to honor Olympia’s longtime representative in the Washington state Legislature, Sam Hunt.
Hunt died Saturday, April 25, after a short battle with Leukemia. He was 83.
Hunt was first elected to the Washington state Legislature in 2001, serving 16 years in the state House followed by eight in the Senate.
He was chair of the committees overseeing state government and elections in both chambers. Hunt decided not to seek reelection in 2024, and was appointed a regent at Washington State University.
He is known for his work to champion improvements to Washington’s elections and increase voter turnout, as well as his support of marriage equality laws and state employee collective bargaining rights.
The announcement of his passing was met with heartfelt tributes from across the state.
Local electeds in his home district remembered him Tuesday as a committed civic leader, public servant and mentor.
“Hunt was more than a public official. He was a steady and respected partner, a strong advocate for good government, education and civic engagement, and someone who understood the importance of listening, collaboration and service to others,” Thurston County Commissioner Carolina Mejia said on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners.
“For many of us, he was also a mentor, someone who led by example, offered guidance with humility and encouraged others to serve with purpose and compassion,” Mejia added. “His work left a lasting impact across our county and throughout the state.”
One of the many elected officials Hunt mentored throughout the years was Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall, who said Hunt believed in her and helped her support election-related initiatives like the Voting Rights Act in 2018, and a 2020 bill concerning state reimbursement of election costs.
“Senator Hunt always had Thurston County in mind. He knew that we were special in state government because we were the state capital. And much of how we run elections today in the state of Washington is due to Senator Sam Hunt,” Hall said.
Hall and the Thurston County Board of Commissioners also extended their condolences to Hunt’s friends, family and colleagues.
“We are grateful for his many years of service, and we joined the community in honoring his memory,” Mejia said. “May Senator Sam Hunt's legacy of kindness, dedication, mentorship and public service continue to inspire us.”
Flags in Thurston County will be held at half mast through the end of the week in Hunt’s honor.
Hunt’s successor in the state Senate, Sen. Jessica Bateman, shared the following tribute on social media on April 26:
“I'm shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of former Sen. Sam Hunt, who was a champion for our district in the Legislature for 24 years. He worked tirelessly on so many issues, but as a former public school teacher, he was particularly a leader on education, committed to a vision of a state where every child has what it takes to succeed in life - especially those who attended his beloved Washington State University. He helped pass so many important bills for voting rights, access to our democracy, and modernizing our elections. And on a personal level, he was a mentor to me in the Legislature and a friend to so many in our community. We are all in his debt, and I wish love to his family.”
Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders also expressed his condolences.
“Very sad to hear that retired Senator Sam Hunt has passed away. I just saw him a few weeks ago out and about, and he was in such high spirits as always.
Sam was such a kind man who exemplified integrity; he leaves a legacy behind.
RIP Senator.”
A celebration of life is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 30 at South Puget Sound Community College.
His family asks that attendees wear the colors of their favorite sports teams, “particularly if they are WSU crimson and gray, or another team from Washington,” said his daughter, Hillary, in a social media post announcing the event.
“Yes Huskies, you are included,” she added.
Jerseys from favorite sports teams are also welcome.
Hunt’s family asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Sam Hunt Memorial Scholarship at Washington State University.
