About Craig

Craig Pridemore, 47, has just completed his first four year term in the Washington State Senate and what a four years it's been! In his first year, Craig spearheaded the effort in the Senate to make Washington State University - Vancouver into a four year institution, and prime sponsored the bill that gave Clark Public Utilities a chance to continue it's heating and cooling appliance repair service! In his second year, he championed an electronic waste recycling bill that has become an international standard for waste disposal and product stewardship! His direct work in crafting and fighting for the bill was recognized when he was named Environmental Legislator of the Year for 2006 by Washington Conservation Voters and the Clark County Sierra Club - not too bad for a freshman!

In his third year he was named Vice Chairman of the powerful Senate Ways and Means Committee where he has been the chief budget drafter for the Senate operating budget, directing expenditures of more than $30 billion in state funds. Today, Craig is a recognized leader in supporting services for women and children, for persons with mental illnesses and people with disabilities, and for education.

Craig is a native of Clark County and attended public schools in Camas and Vancouver. He is a 1979 graduate of Fort Vancouver High School and earned his bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Washington in 1989. He is an active duty veteran of the United States Army where he served as an intelligence analyst and was honored as post non-commissioned officer of the year in 1986. He served as firm administrator for a certified public accounting firm in Los Angeles from 1990-1992 before going to work as a financial analyst and manager for the Clark County Department of Public Works where he served from 1992-1998.

In 1998, Craig entered political life unseating a one-term incumbent Republican county commissioner, a feat that was considered impossible at the time. He was outspent 3-1 and was largely opposed by the residential building industry, the political powerhouse of Clark County politics. But Craig's anti-sprawl message resonated with over-burdened citizens. As county commissioner, Craig was known for fighting to more responsibly plan for population growth in Clark County and for fiscal restraint. He was reelected in 2002.

In 2004, Craig again ignored the pundits and ran against a 14-year Republican legislative veteran, winning a close victory in a race that drew national attention. As senator, Craig has established himself as an environmental leader, a governmental affairs expert, and as a fiscal moderate. He continues to be known for passionately pursuing facts and the truth, and for advocating for them even in the face of strident opposition.

Craig owns a home in Minnehaha where he lives with his 2-year old golden retriever, Alki, and his 13 year-old Siamese cat, Skyler.