Washington Secretary of State: Kim Wyman
Kim Wyman is Washington’s 15th Secretary of State, currently serving her first term. Elected in 2012, she is the second female Secretary of State in Washington history and the only woman in statewide executive office.
Prior to being sworn into this office, Kim served as Thurston County Elections Director and was elected County Auditor in 2001, overseeing the county’s elections, licensing, recording and financial services. During her tenure, the Thurston County Auditor’s Office won many awards for significant innovations in county government. Kim has actively participated in multiple state and national work groups and committees, helping make Washington a national leader in elections administration.
As Secretary, Kim heads one of the most diverse offices in state government. Her responsibilities include overseeing elections, corporation and charity filings, the Washington State Library, Washington Talking Book & Braille Library, the State Archives, and a number of special programs including the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by public employees, the Address Confidentiality Program to protect victims of domestic violence and stalking, and the Domestic Partnership Registry. Legacy Washington’s oral history program and special exhibits, tell the state’s intriguing stories.
Secretary Wyman serves on the executive board of the National Association of Secretaries of State as Western States Vice President. She was selected as a Rodel Fellow at The Aspen Institute in 2013 and is a past president of the Washington State Association of County Auditors.
She has received numerous awards, including the Woman of Distinction Award from the Pacific Peaks Girl Scout Council and the Washington State University President’s Award for Leadership. During the 2014 legislative session, the Washington State Senate included Wyman in a resolution honoring women trailblazers in government.
Secretary Wyman promotes civility and civic engagement and is committed to connecting people with their government. Kim enjoys mentoring students and participates in leadership development organizations, including the Jennifer Dunn Leadership Institute, the American Legion Auxiliary’s Girls State programs, and the YMCA Youth Legislature Program. She is an advocate for our service members and their families, our returning veterans and the Washington Youth Academy. Kim promotes libraries, including the State Library, and advocates for preservation and teaching of our history and traditions, teaching of civics education, and volunteerism in our communities.
She serves on the boards of the Washington State Historical Society and TVW, the state’s version of C-SPAN. She is a member of the Lacey Rotary Club and takes part in numerous civic activities and non-profit work.
Kim is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach and holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Troy State University. She is a Certified Elections and Registration Administrator (CERA) from The Elections Center and Auburn University.
Kim and her Ranger husband John came to Washington when he was assigned to the 2/75 Ranger Battalion at (then) Fort Lewis after being stationed in Ansbach, Germany.
The Wymans reside in Thurston County with their two children. Secretary Wyman enjoys running, Zumba, and weightlifting.
