Tom Foley

Washington has sixteen living former members of the U.S. House of Representatives: Don Bonker, Rod Chandler, John Cunningham, Tom Foley, Mike Kreidler, Mike Lowry, Mike McCormack, John Miller, Sid Morrison, George Nethercutt, Linda Smith, William Stinson, Allan Swift, Randy Tate, Jolene Unsoeld, and Rick White.  The oldest living ex-Congressman is the 86-year-old McCormack, a Democrat who served from 1975 to 1981.  He was first elected to the Washington State House of Representatives in 1956, and served in the State Senate from 1961 to 1969.  He lost his bid for re-election in 1980.

It's been nearly fourteen years since Thomas Foley lost his congressional seat to George Nethercutt, and there's been no sign that the former Speaker of the House would ever seek a political comeback. But Foley still keeps a campaign account, with a balance of $35,451. His Treasurer/wife, Heather Foley, files reports with the Federal Election Commission four times a year.

George Fearing grew up the son of a preacher, and while his father's ministries took him all over the country, he always felt a connection to Eastern Washington. He spent much of his childhood in the region, went to college in Walla Walla, and returned to the Tri-Cities upon completion of his law degree in 1982. He has stayed there ever since.  read more »