For Consumers

Past commissioners

Deborah Senn (D)

1993 to 2001

  • Born in 1949 in Chicago, Illinois. Died in 2022 in Seattle, Washington 
  • Bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Illinois
  • Law degree from Loyola University
  • Practiced regulatory law
  • Counsel to House and Senate Committees
  • Lobbyist and Governmental Relations
  • Practiced law in Seattle

Richard Marquardt (R)

1977 to 1993

  • Born in 1922 in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. Died in 2012 in Seattle, Washington
  • University of Washington graduate
  • Served in the Army during World War II
  • Worked as fuel-oil business executive
  • Appointed by Gov. Evans to head state selective service system
  • Senator from King County District 45 for one term (1967)

Karl Herrmann (D)

1969 to 1977

  • Born in 1915 in Granite Falls, Washington. Died in 1997 in Tacoma, Washington
  • Spokane attorney
  • Three terms as senator representing Spokane
  • Chaired Senate Insurance Committee

Lee Kueckelhan (D)

1961 to 1969

  • Born in 1899 in Blackwater, Missouri. Died in 1983 in Pierce County.
  • Was Commissioner Sullivan's chief deputy for 17 years
  • President of the NAIC (1963 and 1964)

William A. Sullivan (D)

1933 to 1961

  • Born: 1885 in Baltimore, Ireland. Died in 1968 in Seattle, Washington
  • Retirement board chair (1947)
  • President of NAIC (1936)
  • Seven terms as insurance commissioner

H. O. Fishback (R)

1913 to 1933

  • Born: 1859 in Rochester, Minnesota. Died in 1933 in Adna, Washington
  • Assistant city treasurer for the city of Tacoma
  • One term as senator from Lewis County (1909)
  • President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in 1924
  • Five terms as insurance commissioner

John H. Shively (R)

1909 to 1913

  • Born in 1859. Died in 1914 in Chelan County
  • Legislator from Whatcom County, one term (1895)
  • Chair, Republican State Central Committee (1898 and 1900)
  • Originally appointed to the position of insurance commissioner by Secretary of State Samuel Nichols
  • Once position became an elected office, he ran and won
  • Impeachment proceedings brought against him in June 1909. Found not guilty