Bill Finkbeiner

Bill Finkbeiner
Majority Leader of the Washington Senate
In office December 23, 2003 – January 10, 2005
Preceded by	James E. West
Succeeded by	Lisa Brown
Minority Leader of the Washington Senate
In office January 10, 2005 – November 29, 2005
Preceded by	Lisa Brown
Succeeded by	Mike Hewitt
Member of the Washington Senate from the 45th district
In office January 9, 1995 – January 8, 2007
Preceded by	Alan Bluechel
Succeeded by	Eric Oemig
Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 45th district
In office January 11, 1993 – January 9, 1995
Preceded by	John W. Betrozoff
Succeeded by	Kathy Lambert
Personal details
Born	(1969-05-05) May 5, 1969 Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Political party	Republican (1994–present)
Other political affiliations	Democratic (before 1994)
Spouse	Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner
Children	2
Alma mater	Whitman College, University of Washington (MBA)
Occupation	Politician Businessman

William E. Finkbeiner (born May 5, 1969) is an American businessman and politician who served as a member of the Washington State Senate, representing the 45th district from 1995 2007. Originally a Democrat, he became a Republican in 1994 following the Republican Revolution and served as a member of the Washington House of Representatives from 1993 to 1995. In 2003 he became the youngest Senate Majority Leader in the history of the Washington State Senate. In a return to politics at age 43, he ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 2012 against incumbent Democrat Brad Owen.

Early life

Finkbeiner was born in Seattle and lives in Kirkland, Washington. He attended Lake Washington High School where he was a three-sport letterman and competed in the state wrestling championships. Finkbeiner graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington where he edited The Source magazine and was assistant editor of the school newspaper, The Pioneer. He co-hosted a weekly radio show called Bill and Bill’s Barbecue Blues Hour. In 2007, Bill completed the executive MBA program at the University of Washington.

Career

In 1992, at 23, Finkbeiner was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives as a Democrat from the 45th District (including Kirkland, Redmond, Duval, Carnation) and became the youngest member of that chamber.

In 1994, he left the House of Representatives and switched parties to run as a Republican for the State Senate where became the youngest member of that body. He served in the Washington State Senate from 1994 until 2006.

In 2003, Finkbeiner became the youngest Senate Majority Leader in state history. He was known for his efforts to reduce partisanship, and during his tenure no bill was passed on a party line vote. In 2006, Finkbeiner cast the deciding vote for an anti-discrimination bill for gays and lesbians.

Finkbeiner was a leader in technology and telecommunications issues, where he used his years of experience working in the private sector at Microsoft and other high tech companies to help the state distinguish itself as a policy leader. Bill was the first legislator in the state to use email to communicate with constituents. He worked to get state legislation online. Bill worked closely with the Washington Technology Alliance, and was part of Governor Gary Locke's Digital Education Task Force.

Finkbeiner also worked in the private sector, including at Microsoft as a contract project manager for five years, three years as an executive director in an online education company, and for other high tech companies. Finkbeiner now operates his own business specializing in commercial property management and land development.

Personal life

Finkbeiner married Kristin Rowe in the mid-1990s when he was a state representative. They have two children. He has served on many boards as a volunteer.