Senate Freedom Caucus Members

Mike Padden, a resident of the Spokane Valley since 1978, represents the 4th Legislative District in the state Senate. Sen. Padden is the Republican leader of the Senate Law and Justice Committee. He also serves on the Senate Transportation Committee and the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee.

Sen. Padden was elected to the state House in 1980 and served as a citizen legislator for more than 14 years. He returned to the Legislature after election to the Senate in 2011. During his legislative career his many leadership roles have included House Majority Floor Leader and chair of the Law and Justice Committee.

In March 1995 he was appointed Spokane County District Court judge and won three additional terms through countywide elections. His willingness to listen and work with both sides served him well; his fellow judges twice elected him to be the court’s presiding judge, managing a budget of approximately $7.8 million and a staff of 150 employees. He retired from that position in January 2007.

In 2008, he was appointed to serve on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as the Judicial Outreach Liaison overseeing therapeutic traffic safety issues in five states — Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Alaska.

Sen. Padden has earned the reputation of standing strong on principle – no higher taxes, smaller government, and defender of life. He is equally well-known for having a strong willingness to engage in the legislative process and has proven successful in forging coalitions to pass legislation, even when in the minority.

Sen. Padden is a graduate of Spokane’s Gonzaga University and earned his law degree from the Gonzaga University School of Law in 1974. He is active in his church, having served the past six years on the parish council, and is a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus. Sen. Padden has also served as a state commissioner for American Legion Baseball and is past president of the Spokane chapter. He is also an active volunteer for the Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels program.

Senator Phil Fortunato was elected to the Senate to serve the 31st legislative district. The District includes parts of King and Pierce counties. His communities include South Auburn, Bonney Lake, Carbonado, Edgewood, Enumclaw, and Sumner.

Phil brings a wealth of private sector and legislative experience having served as the State Representative of the 47th District in 99-00. He has been a contractor for over 30 years, starting his first business at 18, and is currently a recognized expert in Clean Water Act compliance. As a contractor, he understands Davis Bacon Act compliance, Employment Security, Unemployment and business tax issues. In addition, he has done work on the international market in Europe, Asia and Canada and understands international trade and import export issues as well.

Phil and his wife, Suzanne, live in Auburn have five children with his first three sons joining the Marine Corps. He has been active in his community, including his church, Knights of Columbus, Buckley Eagles, Sons of Italy, Washington Arms Collectors, National Rifle Association, Renton Fish and Game Club, Black Diamond Gun Club, and charitable activities

Jeff Wilson moved to the Longview area at age 10 and has made his home in the 19th Legislative District ever since. He is a strong advocate for job creation, economic prosperity and preservation of the quality of life in southwest Washington. A believer in transparent, accountable government, Wilson maintains the Legislature should speak for the people, and reflect their interests and values.

Wilson, elected to the Senate in 2020, has long been active in the Longview/Kelso business community, with ventures in sanitation and environmental services. In addition to his Senate duties, he serves concurrently as a commissioner for the Port of Longview, where he has been a leader in efforts to reduce taxes, eliminate fees and bring good-paying jobs to the community.

Wilson graduated from Mark Morris High School in Longview, and attended Western Washington University, where he concentrated on history and business. Throughout his career he has placed an emphasis on community involvement, serving on numerous boards and commissions, including the Longview Citizens Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials, the Community Home Health Hospice Foundation and the Lower Columbia Community Awareness and Emergency Response Group. Wilson coordinated the community effort to restore the Shay Locomotive now displayed on the grounds of the Longview Public Library.

Wilson and his wife Trisha have been awarded the “key to the city” of Longview, among many honors for their volunteerism. They reside in Longview and have two grown children.