Mike Pellicciotti
2021 - Present
2025
3
Mike Pellicciotti (Democratic Party) is the Washington Treasurer. He assumed office on January 11, 2021. His current term ends on January 13, 2025.
Pellicciotti (Democratic Party) is running for re-election for Washington Treasurer. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024. He advanced from the primary on August 6, 2024.
Biography
Mike Pellicciotti attended Gonzaga University, earning a bachelor's degree in business administration, a master's degree in rural development, and a law degree. Pelliciotti's career experience includes working as a deputy prosecuting attorney in King County, Washington, and as an assistant attorney general in the Washington Attorney General's office.[1]
2024 battleground election
- See also: Washington Treasurer election, 2024
Ballotpedia identified the November 5 general election as a battleground race. The summary below is from our coverage of this election, found here.
Incumbent Mike Pellicciotti (D) and Sharon Hanek (R) are running in the general election for Washington Treasurer on November 5, 2024. The treasurer manages the state's debts, investments, and cash.[2]
Pellicciotti was first elected as treasurer in 2020, when he defeated incumbent Duane Davidson (R) 53.4%-46.5. Pellicciotti represented the 30th District in the state House from 2017-2021.[3] During his tenure, Pellicciotti worked as an assistant attorney general in the Washington Attorney General's office.[3][4] He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and economics and a master's degree in rural development.[4] He earned his law degree from Gonzaga University and was a law clerk at the Washington Supreme Court before working as a deputy prosecuting attorney in King County.[5]
Pellicciotti is running on his record as treasurer. In an interview with KATU News, Pellicciotti said during his time as treasurer, "Washington has maintained a Moody’s AAA credit rating. ... Washington now has one of the best funded pensions in America, and U.S. News just ranked Washington #1 in the nation for longterm fiscal stability."[6] Pellicciotti said he has prioritized transparency as treasurer and created a transparency portal for state financial data on the treasurer website.[3] He said, "The more we can demystify public finances and financial issues more generally, the more the public can participate and communicate to their elected officials on how they want their money being spent.”[3]
Hanek grew up on U.S. military bases in Japan.[7] Her father was an interpreter in the U.S. Military Intelligence Service during World War II and then served as a liaison between the U.S. and Japanese governments.[3] Her family later moved to Washington, where Hanek earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and accounting.[7] Hanek began working as a certified public accountant in 1980 and later started a private practice.[7] Hanek first sought elected office in 2008, when she ran unsuccessfully for state representative.[3] She was a write-in candidate for state treasurer in 2012 and was elected chair of the Pierce County Charter Review Commission in 2016.[7][3]
Hanek said she is running because of "an increase of concerns in the security of the State's financial system."[8] She is running on her experience as an accountant and said, "The role of a CPA has some different skill sets it brings with it, not just overseeing, administrating and managing but you get into understanding financial systems."[3] Referring to errors Hanek said she found in a public financial report, Hanek said, "Those are the little things that are the way a CPA thinks. I would view things in a little bit different manner to make sure that the reports are reasonable looking, that they add up, and that’s engrained in me.”[3] Hanek said her priority as treasurer would be "strengthening the protection of our cash flow. This area is where I believe we have been lacking and incidences of mismanagement of funds seems to be increasing."[8] She also said she would work to improve fiscal transparency.[8]
As of the most recent fundraising reports, Pellicciotti had raised $278,812 and spent $150,297, and Hanek had raised $15,137 and spent $10,784. To read more about campaign finance reports, click here.
This is one of thirteen statewide elections in Washington alongside elections for President, U.S. Senate, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Auditor, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Public Lands Commissioner, Insurance Commissioner, and three Washington Supreme Court seats. To read more about Washington's elections in 2024, click here.
Washington is one of 48 states that has a treasurer and one of 10 states holding an election for treasurer in 2024. As of September 2024, 12 states had a Democratic treasurer, 24 states had a Republican treasurer, and 12 states had a nonpartisan treasurer.
Elections
2024
See also: Washington Treasurer election, 2024
General election
General election for Washington Treasurer
Incumbent Mike Pellicciotti and Sharon Hanek are running in the general election for Washington Treasurer on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | ||
 | Mike Pellicciotti (D) | |
 | Sharon Hanek (R) | |
| ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Washington Treasurer
Incumbent Mike Pellicciotti and Sharon Hanek advanced from the primary for Washington Treasurer on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mike Pellicciotti (D) | 58.7 | 579,517 |
| ✔ | | Sharon Hanek (R) | 41.3 | 407,637 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 932 | ||
| Total votes: 988,086 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Polls
We provide results for polls that are included in polling aggregation from FiveThirtyEight and RealClearPolitics, when available. We will regularly check for polling aggregation for this race from those sites and add polls here once available. To notify us of polls available on either outlet for this race, please email us.
Election campaign finance
The tables below contain data from financial reports submitted to state agencies. The data is gathered and made available by Transparency USA. Transparency USA tracks loans separately from total contributions. View each candidates’ loan totals, if any, by clicking “View More” in the table below and learn more about this data here.
Satellite spending
- See also: Satellite spending
Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[9][10][11]
If available, this section includes links to online resources tracking satellite spending in this election. To notify us of a resource to add, email us.
Campaign finance
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2020
See also: Washington Treasurer election, 2020
General election
General election for Washington Treasurer
Mike Pellicciotti defeated incumbent Duane Davidson in the general election for Washington Treasurer on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mike Pellicciotti (D) | 53.4 | 2,089,159 |
 | Duane Davidson (R) | 46.5 | 1,818,895 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 3,339 | ||
| Total votes: 3,911,393 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Washington Treasurer
Mike Pellicciotti and incumbent Duane Davidson advanced from the primary for Washington Treasurer on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mike Pellicciotti (D) | 53.2 | 1,279,452 |
| ✔ | | Duane Davidson (R) | 46.7 | 1,121,885 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 2,604 | ||
| Total votes: 2,403,941 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
See also: Washington House of Representatives elections, 2018
General election
General election for Washington House of Representatives District 30-Position 1
Incumbent Mike Pellicciotti defeated Linda Kochmar in the general election for Washington House of Representatives District 30-Position 1 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mike Pellicciotti (D) | 61.2 | 28,563 |
 | Linda Kochmar (R) | 38.8 | 18,085 | |
| Total votes: 46,648 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Washington House of Representatives District 30-Position 1
Incumbent Mike Pellicciotti and Linda Kochmar advanced from the primary for Washington House of Representatives District 30-Position 1 on August 7, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mike Pellicciotti (D) | 59.0 | 15,043 |
| ✔ | | Linda Kochmar (R) | 41.0 | 10,474 |
| Total votes: 25,517 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
| Obama endorsement |
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| During the 2016 election cycle Pellicciotti was one of the candidates endorsed by President Barack Obama |
Full list of Obama's 2016 endorsements |
Elections for the Washington House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 20, 2016.
Mike Pellicciotti defeated incumbent Linda Kochmar in the Washington House of Representatives, District 30-Position 1 general election.[12]
| Washington House of Representatives, District 30-Position 1 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Mike Pellicciotti |
54.42% | 26,820 | |
| Republican | Linda Kochmar Incumbent | 45.58% | 22,465 | |
| Total Votes | 49,285 | |||
| Source: Washington Secretary of State | ||||
Mike Pellicciotti and incumbent Linda Kochmar were unopposed in the Washington House of Representatives District 30-Position 1 top two primary.[13][14]
| Washington House of Representatives, District 30-Position 1 Top Two Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Mike Pellicciotti | |
| Republican | Linda Kochmar Incumbent | |
| Source: Washington Secretary of State | ||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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2020
Mike Pellicciotti did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2016
Pellicciotti's campaign website highlighted the following issues:
| “ |
Protecting our community: Families and local businesses are feeling less secure. Olympia has taken away supervision tools needed by local law enforcement to protect our community. As a former Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in South King County and as a state prosecutor, Mike understands these challenges and has been a voice to crime victims throughout the 30th Legislative District for the last decade, including prosecuting gun and other violent assaults in Federal Way and Auburn, sex trafficking in South King County, robbery in Des Moines, and felony DUI and healthcare-provider elder abuse in Auburn. He managed a statewide criminal investigative unit. In the legislature, Mike will lead on criminal justice issues and make being smart on crime a priority, so our community can be a safe place to raise a family and do business. Standing up to corporate powers: It’s getting harder for small businesses and the average consumer to compete with corporate powers. Olympia is overly influenced by corporate interests. Not a politician, Mike has managed statewide teams of criminal investigators and prosecutors that have stood up to corporate powers, returning over $30 million to taxpayers from corporate fraud. He has helped lead groundbreaking national litigation against an international healthcare corporation that put profits over patients in Auburn, and returned to taxpayers money fraudulently taken by out-of-state pharmaceutical companies. In the legislature, Mike will stand up to corporate powers so that all members of our community have their voice heard in Olympia. Giving voice to the voiceless: The poor, disabled, and elderly are being denied the personal dignity they deserve. Olympia needs to do more to ensure that the rights of our most vulnerable are protected. As a statewide prosecutor, Mike has helped lead statewide efforts to combat the abuse of Medicaid recipients. He has preserved tax dollars meant for the poor and disabled. As the Chair of the Equal Justice Coalition, Mike has sought to ensure that the legal rights of veterans, homeowners, and the most vulnerable in our community are upheld. As the alternate member of the Federal Way Human Services Commission, Mike has worked with local non-profits that are committed to providing basic services to our most vulnerable. In the legislature, Mike will continue to focus on serving all members of the 30th Legislative District – not just those of influence – giving voice to those who are not currently being heard in Olympia. Investing in our children: Our children are not getting the support they need from Olympia. Legislators are currently being held in contempt by our State Supreme Court for failing to adequately fund our schools. This is unacceptable. Quality education is a right, and is necessary for the future development of our region. Mike will advocate for the funding of schools in our communities to be the paramount duty of the legislature.[15] |
” |
| —Mike Pellicciotti[16] | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Committee assignments
2019-2020
Pellicciotti was assigned to the following committees:
- Public Safety Committee
- House Transportation Committee
- State Government and Tribal Relations​ Committee, Vice Chair
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Washington committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Public Safety, Vice chair |
| • State Government, Elections & Information Technology |
| • Transportation |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Issues
ESG
| Environmental, social, and corporate governance |
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| Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. |
Pellicciotti supported environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG), an approach to investing and corporate decision-making.
State financial officers, including treasurers, auditors, and controllers, are responsible for auditing other government offices, managing payroll, and overseeing pensions. In some states, certain SFOs are also responsible for investing state retirement and trust funds.
In July 2021, Pellicciotti wrote, “I believe we must always look at the long term risks to our investments. That’s why in my first few months as State Treasurer, I completed an environmental, social and corporate governance review of all state investments over which I have direct control – and I am proud to say my office does not invest in any coal, oil or gas companies. This action is consistent with my view that ownership of corporate debt or stock in these companies is not a prudent long-term investment for our state.”[17]
Support for ESG board seats at Exxon-Mobil (June 2021)
In June 2021, the Washington State Investment Board (WSIB) sided with a group of activist shareholders who successfully replaced three members of the ExxonMobil energy board. The Washington Treasurer is one of ten voting members on the WSIB. Pellicciotti wrote, "This vote contributed to the removal of current corporate Board leaders of ExxonMobil up for reelection, replacing them with climate conscious directors who will support long-term investment interests. Washington voted for a reform slate of candidates to move ExxonMobil away from its focus on short-term fossil fuel profits.”[18]
The hedge fund Engine No. 1 launched the election campaign for the new board members, writing in a pitch to investors that ExxonMobil's "refusal to accept that fossil fuel demand may decline in decades to come has led to a failure to take even initial steps towards evolution."[19] Engine No. 1 won support for its position from large money management firms BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street Global Advisors.[20]
Pro-ESG financial officers’ letter opposing anti-ESG state officers (September 2022)
In September 2022, Pellicciotti and 13 other state and local financial officers signed a letter opposing laws and policies in West Virginia, Idaho, Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida "aiming to curb consideration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in investing."[21]
The letter said those states were "blacklisting financial firms that don’t agree with their political views." The letter also said, “the blacklisting states apparently believe, despite ample evidence and scientific consensus to the contrary, that poor working conditions, unfair compensation, discrimination and harassment, and even poor governance practices do not represent material threats to the companies in which they invest. They refuse to acknowledge, in the face of sweltering heat, floods, tornadoes, snowstorms and other extreme weather, that climate change is real and is a true business threat to all of us.”[21]
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Washington scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].
2020
In 2020, the Washington State Legislature was in session from January 13 to March 12.
- Legislators are scored based on their votes on legislation supported by the organization.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the state’s business community.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to home building industry issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on how they voted on firearm policies.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WSLC's position.
2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Washington State Legislature was in session from January 14 through April 28.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Washington State Legislature, second session, was in session from January 8 through March 8.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Washington State Legislature, first session, was in session from January 9 through April 23. There were also special sessions. The first special session was April 24 through May 23. The second special session was May 23 through June 21. The third special session was June 21 through July 20.
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See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Washington Treasurer |
Officeholder Washington Treasurer |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Mike Pelliciotti, "About Mike," accessed April 9, 2021
- ↑ Washington Treasurer, "Role of the State Treasurer," accessed September 20, 2024
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Tacoma Weekly, "Election Preview 2024: Washington State Treasurer," September 16, 2024
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mike Pellicciotti 2024 campaign website, "Meet Treasurer Mike," accessed September 20, 2024
- ↑ Linkedin, "Mike Pellicciotti," accessed September 20, 2024
- ↑ KATU News, "Know Your Candidates 2024: Mike Pellicciotti, Washington State Treasurer," July 20th, 2024
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Sharon Hanek 2024 campaign website, "About Sharon Hanek," accessed September 20, 2024
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 KATU News, "Know Your Candidates 2024: Sharon Hanek, Washington State Treasurer," July 20, 2024
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," December 12, 2021
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "General Election Results 2016," accessed December 2, 2016
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2016 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 23, 2016
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "August 2, 2016 Primary Results," accessed August 25, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Elect Mike Pellicciotti, "Issues," accessed October 4, 2016
- ↑ State of Washington, Office of the Treasurer, Letter from Mike Pellicciotti to Darlene Clemens of Port Angeles, Washington,” July 19, 2021
- ↑ State of Washington, Office of the Treasurer, Letter from Mike Pellicciotti to Darlene Clemens of Port Angeles, Washington,” July 19, 2021
- ↑ New York Times, “Exxon’s Board Defeat Signals the Rise of Social-Good Activists,” June 9, 2021
- ↑ State of Washington, Office of the Treasurer, Letter from Mike Pellicciotti to Darlene Clemens of Port Angeles, Washington,” July 19, 2021
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 New York City Comptroller, “Comptroller Lander Joins State Treasurers’ Letter Opposing Anti-ESG Legislation,” September 14, 2022
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Duane Davidson (R) |
Washington Treasurer 2021-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Washington House of Representatives District 30-Position 1 2017-2021 |
Succeeded by Jamila Taylor (D) |
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State of Washington Olympia (capital) |
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