Senator Mike Carrell Biography
28th District, Lakewood

   Senator Mike Carrell serves the people of Pierce County and the 28th Legislative District in many ways.  He’s authored a landmark bill to reform the criminal justice system in Washington that better protects the public by assuring that no one community is overburdened by returning felons.  Sen. Carrell works across the aisle in a bipartisan manner to get results for his constituents.  He also wrote the Becca laws, which help identify at-risk youth who skip school so they can be given the assistance they need to keep from becoming juvenile, and later adult, offenders.

   As a retired schoolteacher who spent over 30 years in the classroom teaching math and science at the junior high school and college level, Sen. Mike Carrell knows firsthand the value of a good education.  That’s why he works hard to improve schools and help enrich the lives of Washington’s students.

   Sen. Carrell also wants to create an environment in Washington where those students can go on to find good, productive jobs and contribute to our society.  Sen. Carrell is always working to improve the business climate in our state to draw in out-of-state companies, encourage small businesses to flourish and retain the businesses that are the backbone of our economy.

   Sen. Carrell served in the House for 10 years before his appointment to the Senate in 2004, and was elected in 2006 and again in 2008.  He is a member of the Senate Republican Caucus leadership team, serving as the Deputy Republican Leader.

   A lifelong Tacoma-area resident, Sen. Carrell and his wife, Charlotte, live in Lakewood.  They have three sons, Matthew, Larry and Carlton, and five grandchildren.

Standing Committees (2009-10): Human Services and Corrections; Judiciary; Ways & Means.

Special Committees: Correctional Industries Board of Directors; Attorney General's Eminent Domain Task Force; Legislative Task Force on Community Custody and Community Supervision; Child Support Work Group; Joint Committee on Veterans' and Military Affairs; Joint Legislative Task Force on Offenders Programs; State Council on Aging.

Education: B.A. in education from Pacific Lutheran University; post-graduate studies in science.