Simon Sefzik
{{short description |American politician from Washington}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| image = Simon Sefzik.jpg
| name = Simon Sefzik
| district = 42nd
| state_senate = Washington
| term_start = January 11, 2022
| term_end = December 9, 2022
| predecessor = Doug Ericksen
| successor = Sharon Shewmake
| birth_place = Ferndale, Washington, U.S.
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|12|21}}
| party = Republican
| education = Patrick Henry College (BA)
}}
Simon A. Sefzik (born December 21, 1999) is an American politician of the Republican Party who served as a member of the Washington State Senate from the 42nd district. He served in office from January 11, 2022 to December 9, 2022.
Early life and education
Sefzik was born in Ferndale, Washington. He graduated summa cum laude with Highest Honors from Patrick Henry College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Government with a concentration in American Politics and Policy.{{cite news|last1=Mittendorf|first1=Robert|date=11 January 2022|title=Whatcom County Council names replacement for Sen. Ericksen|publisher=The Bellingham Herald|url=https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/politics-government/article257216342.html|access-date=11 January 2022}} Prior to attending Patrick Henry College, Sefzik was a four-time national high school forensics champion. While in college, he competed for the moot court team at Patrick Henry.{{cite web|last1=Allen|first1=Stephen|title=The Road to Nationals 2021|url=https://www.phc.edu/news/2021-the-road-to-nationals|access-date=11 January 2022|publisher=Patrick Henry College}}
Career
A member of the Republican Party, Sefzik served as an intern in the office of Congressman Ted Budd and in the White House Office during the first Trump Administration. Sefzik was a staffer in the Executive Office of the President.{{Cite web|title=Simon Sefzik - Most recent known job: Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC) (May 23, 2019 - June 14, 2019), Intern - Congressional Salaries {{!}} LegiStorm|url=https://www.legistorm.com/person/Simon_A_Sefzik/342228.html|access-date=2022-01-12|website=www.legistorm.com|language=en}}
On January 11, 2022, after the death of Washington state Senator Doug Ericksen, Sefzik was selected by the Whatcom County Council to finish Senator Ericksen's term.{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Brett |title=Simon Sefzik to replace Doug Ericksen in Washington state Senate |url=https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/simon-sefzik-to-replace-doug-ericksen-in-washington-state-senate/article_0184c054-7322-11ec-a19c-870a55237379.html |access-date=11 January 2022 |publisher=The Center Square}} With his appointment at age 22, Sefzik became the youngest member of the Washington State Senate.{{cite news |last1=Allen |first1=Stephen |title=Patrick Henry College Alumnus Simon Sefzik Becomes the Youngest Senator on Record in Washington State |url=https://www.pr.com/press-release/853840 |access-date=10 February 2022 |publisher=Patrick Henry College}}
In the Washington Senate, Sefzik was a member of the Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee, the Health & Long Term Care Committee, and the Housing & Local Government Committee.{{cite news|title=The Washington State Legislature Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee|url=https://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/HEWD/Pages/MembersStaff.aspx|access-date=10 February 2022}}{{cite news|title=The Washington State Legislature Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee|url=https://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/HLTC/Pages/MembersStaff.aspx|access-date=10 February 2022}}{{cite news|title=The Washington State Legislature Senate Housing & Local Government Committee|url=https://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/HLG/Pages/MembersStaff.aspx|access-date=10 February 2022}} Sefzik's policy focus areas included agriculture, affordability, fiscal responsibility, public safety, and flood relief for Whatcom Country residents.{{cite news |last1=Schwartz |first1=Ralph |title=Bills to help Whatcom flood victims have bipartisan backing |url=https://www.cascadiadaily.com/news/2022/feb/03/bills-to-help-whatcom-flood-victims-move-through-l/ |access-date=10 February 2022 |publisher=Cascadia Daily News}}
Sefzik's candidacy was endorsed by the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs, Washington Fraternal Order of Police, Washington Food Industry Association, Washington Hospitality Association, Whatcom County Association of Realtors, Inland Pacific Associated Builders and Contractors, Building Industry Association of Washington, Washington State Young Republicans, Laborers Local 292, Operating Engineers 302, Associated General Contractors of Washington Build PAC, Washington National Federation of Independent Business, Washington Hunters Heritage Council, Association of Washington Business, Washington State Farm Bureau PAC, and the Washington Retail Association.{{cite web |title=Endorsements |url=https://www.simonforwa.com/endorsements |website=Simonforwa.com |publisher=SimonforWA |access-date=23 January 2023}}
On February 9, 2022, Sefzik announced his intent to retain the seat in the 2022 election.{{cite news|title=Sen. Sefzik announces bid to retain 42nd legislative seat|url=https://www.lyndentribune.com/news/sen-sefzik-announces-bid-to-retain-42nd-legislative-seat/article_ed234ba2-8a88-11ec-940a-4fc0c9b074de.amp.html|access-date=10 February 2022 |publisher=Lynden Tribune}}{{cite news|last1=Schwartz|first1=Ralph|title=22-year-old state senator announces election bid|publisher=Cascadia Daily News|url=https://www.cascadiadaily.com/news/2022/feb/09/22-year-old-state-senator-announces-election-bid/|access-date=10 February 2022}}
He advanced from the top-two primary with 33.2% of the vote, finishing second among three candidates.{{cite web |title=Ben Elenbaas |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Ben_Elenbaas |website=Ballotpedia |publisher=Ballotpedia |access-date=23 January 2023}}
In the general election, Sefzik lost to Democratic State Representative Sharon Shewmake by 0.8%.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-21 |title=Republicans hit blue wall in WA: Meet your new state Legislature |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/republicans-hit-blue-wall-in-wa-meet-your-new-state-legislature/ |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Helm |first=Bill Helm |date=22 November 2022 |title=With 150 ballots left to count, Sharon Shewmake ahead of Simon Sefzik by 800-plus votes |url=https://www.lyndentribune.com/news/with-150-ballots-left-to-count-sharon-shewmake-ahead-of-simon-sefzik-by-800-plus/article_ee263196-6a88-11ed-a2ee-5b0d3c409651.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=Lynden Tribune |language=en}}
References
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Category:Republican Party Washington (state) state senators
Category:Patrick Henry College alumni
Category:21st-century members of the Washington State Legislature
{{Washington-WASenate-stub}}