Biography

Representative Marko Liias was born at Stevens Hospital in Edmonds in 1981. He was born and raised in our community, and graduated from Kamiak High School in Mukilteo. After high school, Rep. Liias worked his way through college with the help of student loans and scholarships, and received his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University. He has also completed graduate-level courses in public administration at the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington.

Rep. Liias has worked as a freelance journalist, researcher, and most recently as a small business owner. For five years, Rep. Liias helped lead a small family business specializing in green residential construction. It was his involvement in the local chamber of commerce that led Rep. Liias to consider public service.

In 2005, Rep. Liias was elected to the Mukilteo City Council, where he served for two years. During his time on the city council, Rep. Liias was a champion of parks and open space, and led the council in setting aside $1 million for new parkland. He also sponsored the city’s first biofuels ordinance, to promote the use of biofuels at local service stations. Rep. Liias also helped position the City of Mukilteo as the lead opponent of commercial air service at Paine Field.

In January 2008, Rep. Liias was appointed to the House of Representatives. In his first session, Rep. Liias sponsored new laws to promote affordable housing, improve consumer protection resources, and provide better training to school personnel.

After his election to a full term in November 2008, Rep. Liias was selected as Vice Chair of the House Transportation Committee. He also serves on the Agriculture & Natural Resources, Community & Economic Development & Trade, Education, and Rules Committees. Rep. Liias also represents the House of Representatives as a member of the Trade and Transportation Committee of the Council of State Governments – West.

In addition to his service in the Legislature, Rep. Liias works in our community as a volunteer with the Kamiak High School Debate Program and as a board member of the Youth Suicide Prevention Program.  Rep. Liias is also a member of the Evergreen Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration and the local chapter of Ducks Unlimited.

Awards and Recognition:

Public Official of the Year, Washington Public Campaigns (2009)
Legislator of the Year, Washington Student Association (2009)
Guts of the Year Award, Get Your Guts in Gear Charity Ride (2009)
Business Champion, Joint Chambers of Snohomish County (2008, 2009)
Housing Hero, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance (2008)