Former State Lawmaker Dan Swecker Dies at 74

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Former Republican 20th Legislative District State Sen. Dan Swecker has died. 

He was 74. 

Former state lawmaker and current Lewis Economic Development Director Richard DeBolt posted the news to Facebook Wednesday night. 

"Thank you Dan Swecker for your service to nation and state, and thank you for all you did to mentor me,” DeBolt wrote. "Rest in Christ love.”

Additional details were not immediately available.

Swecker represented the 20th Legislative District from his appointment in 1995 to 2013 when he was defeated by state Sen. John Braun. 

He served as Republican Caucus vice chair from 2007 to 2008 and was assistant majority whip from 1997 to 1998. 



Swecker attended the University of Washington. He went on to earn his associate’s degree from from Tacoma Community College before earning a bachelor’ degree in cooperative education from The Evergreen State College in 1973.

Swecker worked as a warrant officer in the United States Army from 1966 to 1969. He then worked as owner and operator of Swecker Salmon Farm. He has also worked as secretary and treasurer of Washington Fish Growers Association.

Here’s a column by Chronicle columnist Julie McDonald on Swecker’s military service and early life: https://www.chronline.com/stories/former-state-senator-flew-helicopters-in-tet-offensive,28874

 

This story will be updated.