Pam Roach

Personal life and education

Senator Roach received a bachelor's degree in History from Brigham Young University in 1970, and received a teaching certificate the next year.

Senator Roach and her husband, Jim, have been married for 33 years. They have five grown children, one of whom (Dan Roach) is now chair of the Pierce County Council.

Senator Roach is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Elected office

Roach was elected to the Senate in 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014. Her last term would have expired on January 2019, but she was elected to the Pierce County Council and resigned her Senate seat in January 2017.

In 2010 fellow Senate Republicans banned her from the Senate Caucus after colleagues told her she had repeatedly mistreated staff and should get counseling to manage her anger. Republicans barred her from the caucus room, though she could still vote on the Senate Floor.

Despite Roach's attempts at appeal, the disciplinary sanctions against Roach were maintained for almost two years, until they were abruptly lifted in February 2012, when the Senate Republican leadership wrote a letter to Sen. Roach inviting her back into the Republican caucus. Not long after Roach was invited into the Senate Republican caucus, Senate Republicans- joining with three Democrats- utilized an obscure procedural motion to wrest control of the budget writing process from the Democratic caucus and pass their own budget. However, in Roach's absence, even with the votes of the three Democrats, the Republicans would still come up one vote short of being able to pass their budget on the floor of the Senate. In one interview, Roach said, "I was the 25th vote (for the GOP), and my caucus finally did the right thing." Her return to the caucus room prompted Mike Hoover, a GOP staffer who had been verbally abused by Roach in the past, to sue the Washington State Senate for $1.75 million for creating a hostile workplace by readmitting Roach back into the caucus room. In September 2012, the Washington State Senate reaffirmed their sanctions against Senator Roach.

In August 2015, Roach announced she planned to run for the county council for Pierce County, Washington in 2016. Roach prevailed in the November election by garnering just over 50% of the vote. She resigned her senate seat and took up the county council seat in January 2017.

Standing committees (2013-14)

Civic activities

Special committees

Current:

Former:

Senate Republican Caucus - Senator Pam Roach Biography. 2014

Awards

Roach was awarded Legislator of the Year by the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs, 1996,1997,1998,1999 R

Roach received the Key Award from the WA Coalition for Open Government.

Awards & Honors:

NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award 2013-14; 2011–12; 2003-2008;1993-2000; Washington Association of County Auditors for outstanding work on election issues, 2004; Friend of the taxpayer award, Citizens for a Sound Economy, 2002; Washington State Veterans Legislative Coalition Outstanding Service Award, 2000; Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 690 Recognition Award, 2000; Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs Legislator of the Year, 1995-1999; Pierce County DUI/Traffic Safety Award, 1999; Washington State Dept. of Veterans Affairs Legislator of the Year, 1998; Washington State District and Municipal Court Judges Assoc. President’s Award, 1998; Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Appreciation Award, 1997; Valley Cities Counseling & Consultation Certificate of Appreciation, 1997; Washington State Law Enforcement Association Sentinel Award, 1996; Defender of Justice Award, 1996; Washington Retail Association Recognition Award, 1996; Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce Appreciation Award, 1995; King County Outdoor Sports Council Legislator of the Year Award, 1993; Washington State Dietetic Association Public Policy Maker Award, 1992; Foster Care Joint Conference Committee Appreciation Award, 1991.