Helen Sommers: An Oral History

Chapter 22
Governor Locke left after two
terms – but he has more to give!
Monahan: When Governor Gary Locke’s term ended
in 2005, you had served for
33 years in the House. Given
that Locke had to work with
a Republican majority in both
chambers during much of his
tenure as governor, how would
you rate his overall success?
Representative Sommers: I
think Gary Locke did an
excellent job in his two terms
Governor Locke as Governor. If he had wanted
a third term, I’m sure he’d have won. He started
with a Legislature that was controlled by the Republicans
for much of his two terms plus three
years with a tie in the House! So, he probably
didn’t accomplish all he had hoped. But, given
the circumstances, he had a wonderful career as
Governor of Washington.
Gary had a lot of background experience in
government in general and he
was able to handle dissent and
differences. That is a major
part of being a leader in government.
He had the respect
of legislators on both sides of
the aisle, and he worked with
them all quite well. I’m sure
there were many things Gary
would have liked to have been
Representative Helen
Sommers – 1997
Ranking Democrat on
the House Appropriations
Committee
able to accomplish, but it’s
very difficult with a Legislature
that is of the other party or
in a tie! But, Gary certainly
came out on top; and when
he left the Governor’s office after eight years, it was
with high respect of legislators on both sides of the
aisles and in both chambers; and certainly with high
appreciation from many citizens of our state.
Monahan: After Gary left office in 2004, he practiced
law in Seattle. But, in 2009, with the election
of President Barack Obama, Washington’s former
Gov. Gary Locke was appointed by the new
president to be U.S. Secretary of Commerce. As
we talk about your career and the careers of many
of your colleagues for this Oral History, what are
your thoughts about Gary Locke who is now the
Secretary of Commerce?
President Barack Obama names former Gov. Locke as the new U.S.
Secretary of Commerce (2009)
Representative Sommers: Through his legislative
career, I knew Gary Locke was destined for higher
office and to continue on in positions of extraordinary
power. He served six terms in the House (1982-1994);
He was elected King County Executive (1994-97),
and then was elected Governor of Washington
twice by landslide elections (1997-2005). Then, he
followed-up as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce!
Gary is very personable; very bright; very articulate
– and he is also a minority. All those qualities
made him an outstanding candidate for political
office and also an excellent leader. These qualities
gave him many opportunities during his entire career.
He just kept moving ahead in everything he did.
As a state, we’ve got to be very proud of his position,
and I think he will be an enormous benefit
to President Obama’s Administration in his role as
Secretary of Commerce.