Jolene Unsoeld

Jolene Unsoeld was an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative for Washington's 3rd congressional district from 1989 until 1995. A member of the Democratic Party, she was known for her advocacy on environmental and feminist issues. Unsoeld's political career was marked by her commitment to open government and her active participation in legislative matters that affected her constituents and the broader community.

Early life and career

Jolene Bishoprick Unsoeld was born on December 3, 1931, in Corvallis, Oregon. She was the daughter of Cora Trapman and Stanley Bishoprick, who was involved in the timber industry. Unsoeld's early education took place at Oregon State University, where she studied from 1949 until 1951. In 1951, she married Willi Unsoeld, a mountaineer and later a college professor. The couple had four children together. In the early 1960s, Unsoeld spent two years in Kathmandu, Nepal, where she directed an English-language education program for local residents, an experience that contributed to her understanding of international issues and cultural diversity.

During the 1970s and early 1980s, Unsoeld became actively involved in political advocacy as a citizen lobbyist. She focused on promoting open government initiatives, which included advocating for open public meetings and public records. Her efforts were instrumental in the passage of Initiative 276 in 1972, which established the Washington Public Disclosure Commission. This initiative mandated the disclosure of campaign contributions by candidates for elective office, thereby enhancing transparency in the political process.

In 1977, Unsoeld and her husband became concerned about the proposed construction of nuclear power plants in Washington. This concern led them to co-found Fair Electric Rates Now (FERN), a group dedicated to opposing utility investments in nuclear energy. FERN advocated for energy conservation and supported utility rate designs that incentivized reduced power consumption. Unsoeld's activism in these areas laid a strong foundation for her subsequent political career.

Unsoeld's political ambitions led her to run for the Washington State Legislature in 1984, where she served two terms. During her time in the state legislature, she was recognized for her principled stance on various issues, earning the description of being "the conscience" of the legislature by EMILY's List. Unsoeld characterized herself as a "citizen meddler," reflecting her commitment to engaging in the political process on behalf of her constituents.

House tenure

In 1988, following the decision of Representative Don Bonker to run for the Senate, Unsoeld entered the race for the open seat in Washington's 3rd congressional district. She faced moderate Clark County Commissioner John McKibbin in the primary election, who portrayed her as too liberal for the district. Despite this characterization, Unsoeld won the Democratic primary and advanced to the general election, where she narrowly defeated her Republican opponent by a margin of just 618 votes out of over 218,000 votes cast. The close nature of the election necessitated a recount, which ultimately confirmed her victory five weeks after Election Day. Her campaign received support from EMILY's List, marking one of the organization's early successes.

Unsoeld's tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives began in January 1989. During her time in Congress, she was known for her progressive stance on various issues. One of her first actions upon taking office was to sign onto a gay-rights bill, signaling her commitment to civil rights. Throughout her three terms, she focused extensively on the federal Freedom of Information Act, advocating for transparency and accountability in government operations.

Despite her liberal positions on many issues, Unsoeld became particularly noted for her opposition to gun control measures, which was somewhat atypical for a member of her party. She also expressed strong opposition to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), arguing that it inadequately protected labor rights for both American and Mexican workers. Unsoeld's critiques of NAFTA highlighted her commitment to labor issues and her belief in the necessity of fair wages and working conditions.

In 1994, Unsoeld faced a challenging re-election campaign against Republican candidate Linda Smith. The race was characterized by its contentious nature, with Smith suggesting that Unsoeld's conservative father supported her campaign over his daughter's. Ultimately, Unsoeld lost her bid for re-election in what was described as a surprising outcome, marking the end of her congressional career on January 3, 1995.

Legislative focus and committees

Throughout her time in Congress, Unsoeld was involved in various legislative initiatives and served on several committees. Her primary focus included issues related to environmental protection, civil rights, and government transparency. As a proponent of open government, she worked diligently on legislation aimed at enhancing public access to information and ensuring that government actions were conducted transparently.

Unsoeld's commitment to environmental issues was evident in her advocacy for policies that promoted conservation and sustainable practices. Her involvement in the Fair Electric Rates Now organization prior to her congressional career laid the groundwork for her continued focus on energy-related issues during her time in office. She sought to address the challenges posed by nuclear energy and advocated for investments in renewable energy sources.

In addition to her work on environmental matters, Unsoeld's legislative efforts included a strong emphasis on civil rights, particularly in relation to LGBTQ+ rights. Her support for gay rights legislation illustrated her dedication to advancing equality and social justice.

After leaving Congress, Unsoeld continued to engage in public service and education. She served as a fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics in the John F. Kennedy School of Government in the fall of 1995. Upon returning to Washington state, she was appointed to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, where she continued to advocate for environmental issues. However, her renomination in 1998 was not confirmed by the State Senate due to her calls for increased restrictions on fishing to protect salmon populations.

Unsoeld's contributions to government transparency were recognized in 2008 when she received the James Madison Award from the Washington Coalition for Open Government. She passed away on November 28, 2021, just days before her 90th birthday, leaving behind a legacy of advocacy for environmental protection, civil rights, and open government.