A Gig Harbor doctor is the new District 26 state senator.
Commissioners from Kitsap and Pierce counties voted 9-1 for Nathan Schlicher to replace Derek Kilmer in the State Senate on Jan. 17. He was sworn into office Jan. 21.
“It was an honor to be selected by the counties. Their decision reflects the bipartisan spirit with which I hope to represent the district,” Schlicher said. “We have difficult challenges ahead, but together I am certain we can work to overcome them.”
Schlicher, 30, said some of his priorities will include addressing challenges in the mental health system, tolling issues with the Narrows Bridge and broader within the state, ensuring the marine highway in the ferry system is addressed as an equal to roads in importance, and provide for adequate funding for education to name a few.
“We will be working on a number of bills throughout session and hope that constituents will also bring issues to us with which we can advocate for the district,” he added.
Kilmer was elected in November to replace Norm Dicks, who retired from the Sixth District of Congress.
District 26 Democratic precinct committee officers made Schlicher their top choice of three people to replace Kilmer.
Schlicher practices emergency medicine at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Tacoma, and is also an attorney at Johnson, Graffe, Keay, Moniz, & Wick, LLP, also in Tacoma.
He also serves on multiple medical specialty boards dedicated to patient advocacy and is active in the Gig Harbor United Methodist Church.
Schlicher, a native of Kitsap County, attended public schools in Bremerton and Silverdale, and graduate from Central Kitsap High School in 1997 at age 14.
He graduated from Pacific Lutheran University – with a double major in biology and political science – in only three years at 17.
Two years later, he had a law degree from the University of Washington and a job with a Seattle firm. Schlicher was the law school’s youngest graduate and the first student ever to complete his courses in two years rather than the standard three-year course.
While working as an attorney, he attended the University of Washington School of Medicine to become a physician. Schlicher completed his residency in Dayton, Ohio, studying emergency medicine.
Schlicher lives in Gig Harbor with is wife, Jessica, and two children, David and Juliette.
He is the son of Peter and Carol Schlicher, both who worked in the health field. His father served as administrator at Harrison Medical Center for 33 years.
Schlicher will serve during the current legislative session, then will have to run again in November to retain the seat in 2014. State Rep. Jan Angel (R-Port Orchard) has announced her intention to run for the District 26 senate seat in November.
