Gary Locke's political career

Gary Locke's political career:

1982: Elected to state House from Seattle's 37th District. For five years, chaired appropriations committee, a job that involves writing and negotiating state budget.

1993: Elected King County executive, defeating incumbent Tim Hill; cuts budget, expanded transit services, developed nationally acclaimed growth-management plan.

1996: Elected governor, defeating Republican Ellen Craswell and becoming first Chinese-American governor in U.S.

1998: Leads opposition to voter-approved Initiative 200, which prohibited race-based preferences in state hiring, contracting and college admissions; opposes voter-approved Referendum 49, which cut vehicle taxes and pumped $2.4 billion into road construction by shifting money out of general fund.

2000: Voters approve two ballot initiatives, to boost teacher salaries and reduce class sizes by hiring more teachers; pushes through Legislature an economic-development package for rural communities; re-elected to second term by defeating Republican John Carlson.

2001: Legislature and Locke fail to pass transportation plan; Boeing announces headquarters will move to Chicago, prompting criticism that governor failed to heed business concerns; creates Washington Competitiveness Council to keep companies.

2002: Voters reject Referendum 51, a $7.8 billion roads package, prompting criticism that Locke showed no leadership by pushing for referendum to be placed on ballot.

2003: Delivers Democratic response to President Bush's State of the Union address; favors cuts over tax increases to deal with projected $2.6 billion budget deficit; proposes $3 billion incentive package to Boeing for 7E7 Dreamliner program.

2005: Becomes partner in Davis Wright Tremaine law firm in Seattle.

2006: Works to bring Chinese President Hu Jintao to Seattle to meet with state and business leaders.

2008: Runs leg of Olympic torch relay in China before Beijing Olympics.

2009: Nominated by President Obama to lead Commerce Department. Sworn into office March 26.

2011: Nominated by Obama for ambassadorship to China.

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