Chris Stearns

Background

About Chris Stearns

Chris serves as Speaker Pro Tem in the Washington State House of Representatives where he presides over the House floor when Members are debating and voting on bills. He represents the 47th Legislative District (Kent, Auburn, Covington). Chris is Vice-Chair of the State Government & Tribal Relations Committee; and also serves on the Rules, Capital Budget, and Environment & Energy Committees. Chris, who is Navajo, also Chairs the 29-member House Members of Color Caucus. Chris also Co-Chairs the WA Legislative Nuclear Energy Caucus where he focuses on clean energy transition using advanced nuclear technology. Prior to serving in the House, Chris served on the Auburn City Council. He was the first Native American to be elected to the Council in Auburn’s history. Chris is also Of Counsel to Hobbs Straus Dean & Walker, a national law firm specializing in representing Native American tribes across the nation. Chris previously served as Chair of the Washington State Gambling Commission where he led the 2nd oldest regulatory agency in the nation as it prepared to integrate sports betting into the state. He received the Legacy of Commitment Award from the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling. Earlier in his career, Chris was appointed by President Bill Clinton as the first-ever Director of Native American Affairs for the U.S. Department of Energy under Secretary Bill Richardson. Chris also served as Democratic Counsel for the Committee on Natural Resources in the U.S. House of Representatives. He has also served as Chair of the Seattle Human Rights Commission, President of the Board of Directors of the Seattle Indian Health Board, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Williams College Society of Alumni. He also served on the Presidential campaign staffs of Al Gore and John Kerry. Chris graduated from the Lawrenceville School, received his B.A. with Honors in History from Williams College, and his law degree from Cornell Law School.