Kent Pullen

Kent E. Pullen (May 4, 1942 – April 14, 2003) was a Washington state politician in the Republican party.

Kent Pullen
Chair of the King County Council
In office January 1, 1994 – January 1, 1996
Preceded by	Audrey Gruger
Succeeded by	Jane Hague
Member of King County Council from the 9th district
In office January 1, 1990 – April 14, 2003
Preceded by	Gary Grant
Succeeded by	Steve Hammond
Member of the Washington Senate from the 47th district
In office January 13, 1975 – January 2, 1990
Preceded by	Martin Durkan
Succeeded by	Michael E. Patrick
Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 47th district
In office January 8, 1973 – January 13, 1975
Preceded by	Gary Grant
Succeeded by	Marion Kyle Sherman
Personal details
Born	(1942-05-04)May 4, 1942 New Mexico, U.S.
Died	April 13, 2003(2003-04-13) (aged 60) Enumclaw, Washington
Political party	Republican
Children	Katherine and Walter
Alma mater	University of New Mexico (BA) University of Washington (DSc)

Political career

Pullen held political office for over 30 years. In 1972 he was elected to the Washington House of Representatives and in 1974 he was elected to the Washington State Senate representing the 47th District, serving until 1990.^{[1][better source needed]}

In 1989, Pullen was elected to the King County Council representing the 9th Council District, narrowly winning by 306 votes.^[2] He would chair the Law and Justice Committee and from 1994-1995, he would serve as the chair of the King County Council.^[3][4]

Ideology

Pullen described himself as a conservative who could work well with others.^[2] He strongly supported unions, labor rights, and county employees, unlike his republican colleagues.^[2][5]

He would be a strong supporter of civil rights by passing legislation that prohibits disciplinary action against workers who speak a language other than English on the job,^[5] and voting against legislation clamping down on teenage "cruising."^[5]

Pullen supported law enforcement and victims of crimes.^[3] As chair of the Law and Justice Committee, he would pass laws that created stricter penalties for sex offenders,^[3] supported victims of crime and victims of domestic violence.^[2]

Pullen was pro-gun rights, and had the nickname of "pistol-packin' Pullen".^[5] While in the Washington State Senate, While on the Washington State Senate floor, Pullen openly carrying a Smith & Wesson and would successfully pass legislation allowing gun owners to leave their firearms in their cars.^[5]

Pullman was a longtime supporter of alternative medicine.^[6] He assisted in establishing the King County Natural Medicine Clinic in Kent, Washington, the first government-subsidized natural medicine clinic in the United States.^[7]

Death

In March 2003, Pullen announced that he was ill with a minor adrenal gland problem but denied any serious illness.^[6] He received both traditional and nontraditional care.^[6] On April 13, 2003, Pullen was admitted into Enumclaw Community Hospital, where he would die later that day.^[2]

After his death, the King County Council voted to name the Regional Communication and Emergency Coordination Center after him.^[4]

Personal life

Pullen was a University of New Mexico graduate, and he met his wife there.^[5] In 1967, Pullen graduated from the University of Washington with a Ph.D. in Chemistry. When the state legislature was not in session, he worked at Boeing^[6] and was a former councilman in the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA). Pullen was an avid chess player and tied for first place in the 1985 Washington State Chess Championship.^[5][8]

Pullen was married for 39 years and is survived by his wife Fay and two children, Kathy and Walter.