Preceded by Mike Ashley Spouse(s) Vicki L. Koster Party Republican Party Political party Republican | Full Name John M. Koster Role American Politician Preceded by Hans Dunshee Name John Koster Succeeded by Kirk Pearson | |
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Born September 8, 1951 (age 72)
Arlington, Washington, U.S. ( 1951-09-08 ) Alma mater Everett Community College (A.A.) Profession Dairy farm Owner, Manager, and Consultant Residence Arlington Heights, Washington, United States | ||
Education Everett Community College | ||
WA-01: John Koster - "Under Attack"
John M. Koster (born September 8, 1951) is an American politician of the Republican Party. He is a former member of the Snohomish County Council and Washington House of Representatives.
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Political Career
Koster was first elected to the Washington House of Representatives in 1994 and reelected in 1996 and 1998. In 2016, Koster successfully ran for reelection, replacing Elizabeth Scott.
Koster was elected to the Snohomish County Council in 2001 and reelected in 2005 and 2009, representing Council District 1.
Koster has three times ran unsuccessfully for the United States House of Representatives in 2000, 2010, and 2012. In November 2015, Koster was elected Charter Review Commissioner for Snohomish County.
On December 20, 2013 it was announced that the term-limited Koster would be the first-ever Snohomish County Ombudsman after his term in the Snohomish County Council comes to an end on January 1, 2014.
In July 2017, Koster announced his retirement from the State House to lead the County Road Administration Board as its Executive Director. He was succeeded by Sultan Mayor Carolyn Eslick.
Controversies
During the 2012 election, Koster was asked after a campaign fundraiser on October 28, 2012, about exceptions from abortion prohibition for rape and incest victims. He said, "Incest is so rare, I mean, it's so rare ... But the rape thing—you know, I know a woman who was raped and kept the child, gave it up for adoption, and she doesn't regret it." He added, "On the rape thing, it's like, how does putting more violence onto a woman's body and taking the life of an innocent child that's a consequence of this crime—how does that make it better? You know what I mean?"
His comments, including the use of the words "rape thing", drew local and national criticism. Koster acknowledged that his comments may have caused him to lose the election in Washington's most competitive district.