About Kevin
Kevin Van De Wege, Representative of the 24th District, is a firefighter, paramedic, husband and father. His wife Jennifer is a high school teacher, and together they are raising two children in Sequim.
In 2006, Kevin defeated Jim Buck, a six-term incumbent and one of the most entrenched members of Olympia’s political establishment. Thanks to a formidable grass-roots campaign and the widespread support of committed community members, Kevin soundly won the election by over three thousand votes.
As a Representative, Kevin has taken to Olympia the values he lives by as a father, firefighter, and community activist, and has been a powerful and honest voice for the unique concerns of communities in the 24th District. He has worked hard to improve access to affordable health care, control property taxes, build strong schools, create living wage jobs, require performance based budgets, and preserve our timber economy. Kevin has been committed to making government work better by listening at home and leading in Olympia.
Currently, Representative Van De Wege serves as Vice Chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resource Committee, and is a member of the Technology, Energy, and Communication Committee as well as the Sub Appropriation Committee on General Government and Audit Review. Kevin also serves on the Joint Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs and is an Assistant Majority Whip. Kevin’s leadership, honesty, hard work and vision have made him an effective member of the legislature, which has allowed him to effectively deliver results for our communities.
Kevin grew up in an agricultural community in Northern Washington. His parents instilled the core values of family and service in him throughout his early childhood. His first jobs were laboring on local farms with crops and livestock.
When Kevin was old enough to serve his community, he became a volunteer firefighter. He earned fire administration and fire investigation degrees from Edmonds Community College where he worked as a resident in Mill Creek. He followed that with a paramedic certification from Northwest Medical in Vancouver, WA. After becoming a paramedic, Kevin received a BA in Social Science from Washington State University.
Kevin then met his wife Jennifer, and the two balanced two careers of service during the early years of their marriage. His first paid firefighting job was in Sunnyside, in the Yakima Valley of Eastern Washington. There he gained an understanding of the diverse needs of the residents of the eastern half of our state.
A desire to have children brought Kevin and Jennifer back closer to their families and precipitated a move to the Olympic Peninsula. Their children, Allison and Jackson, have been raised here with a love of nature and tolerance, and a strong sense of community.
Kevin values the natural beauty of the Olympic Peninsula, and will work hard to protect it. At the same time, he understands that we need to continue to work hard to make this area a great place to raise a family and to retire.
Whether it’s healthcare, education, tax solutions, or making government live within its means: Kevin will continue to get results on our priorities.
Kevin's community accomplishments include:
- Firefighter and paramedic with Clallam County Fire District #3
- International Association of Firefighters, Local President
- Paramedic Training Program, Northwest Medical Training
- Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce, Member
- Clallam County Economic Development Council, Member
- Port Townsend Marine Science Center, Member
- Sequim Elk Lodge #2462, Member
- Bachelor of Social Science, Washington State University