14 Facts About Marko Liias

Marko Sakari Liias was born on July 17,1981 and is an American politician serving as a member of the Washington State Senate, representing the 21st district since 2014.

Marko Liias has taken graduate courses in public administration at the University of Washington in Seattle.

In 2009, Liias completed a John F Kennedy School of Government program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government as a David Bohnett LGBTQ Victory Institute Leadership Fellow.

At the age of 24, Marko Liias was elected to Mukilteo City Council in November 2005, running unopposed.

Marko Liias had previously served on the Snohomish County Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board from 2003 to 2004, and as a member of the Snohomish County Board of Equalization from 2004 to 2006.

Marko Liias was selected to serve on the influential Rules Committee, which plays a critical gatekeeping role in the legislative process.

In January 2011, Marko Liias was reappointed as Vice Chair of the House Transportation Committee, and he was appointed to the Education Committee and the Technology, Energy and Communications Committee.

Marko Liias responded by dropping his congressional campaign on December 29,2011, and announcing he would seek re-election to the legislature in 2012.

On May 19,2016, Marko Liias announced he was running for State Treasurer.

Marko Liias came in second in the primary but was defeated by Denny Heck in the general election.

Marko Liias did not face a Democratic primary challenge but was challenged by a Republican, 18-year-old Andrew Funk, in the general election.

Marko Liias served in the state house until he was appointed and duly sworn in as the district's state senator on January 22,2014.

Marko Liias was the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 5599, which allowed "organizations providing services to unsheltered youth to delay notifying a parent or guardian" if the youth is pursuing gender-affirming health care.

Marko Liias is of Finnish American descent and speaks Finnish.