Please plan to join our Moderator, Frank Conlon, Timer Kim Street, and the candidates , Duane Davidson (Incumbent State Treasurer) and challenger Mike Pellicciotti (State Representative – District 30) as they discuss the responsibilities and their qualifications for the Office of State Treasurer.
Each candidate will make an opening statement, respond to questions submitted to the organizing committee by you, and make their closing statement as they compete for your vote.
The Office of State Treasurer
The Office of the State Treasurer (OST) is responsible for the safety and security of the state’s money, now and into the future.
- The office manages cash flow of all major state accounts with deposits, withdrawals and transfers – more than $288 billion in Fiscal Year 2019.
- It allocates the state’s operating cash to investments that bear interest but remain available for withdrawal, as needed; and it grows the short-term surplus operating cash of cities, school districts, counties and other taxing bodies through its Local Government Investment Pool..
- The Treasurer issues and manages the state’s debt. State debt is issued via bond sales to finance some of the state’s major capital and transportation projects; and through certificates of deposit to finance real estate and equipment for state agencies and local governments. Other Duties
The State Treasurer chairs the State Finance Committee and the Public Deposit Protection Commission. The Treasurer also serves on five other state boards which manage a wide range of services and programs for state lawmakers, public employees, businesses, students and residents of Washington.
The Candidates
Duane Davidson, Washington State Treasurer
Duane Davidson was elected as Washington’s 23 rd State Treasurer in 2016. Prior to that, Duane was elected to four terms as Benton County Treasurer, serving from 2003 – 2014. He is an actively licensed certified public accountant (CPA).
While a County Treasurer Davidson served three terms as President of the Washington State Association of County Treasurers (WSACT) and earlier served as the organization’s treasurer.
Immediately prior to being elected as County Treasurer Duane was the Chief Financial Accountant for Benton County.
Earlier in his career, as auditor for the Washington State Auditor’s Office, he served as the Assistant Audit Manager in the Tri-Cities in charge of the Walla Walla regional offices.
Michael Pelliciotti, State Representative, 30th District (Federal Way)
Mike Pellicciotti represents the 30th legislative district, which includes Algona, Auburn, Des Moines, Federal Way, Milton and Pacific, in the State House of Representatives.
Mike has served South King County as a prosecutor for over a decade, first as a King County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and later as an Assistant Attorney General.
Mike was chair of the Washington Equal Justice Coalition, which advocates for those denied access to justice, including veterans denied benefits. He also has served with the Federal Way Human Services Commission.
The Zoom link will be posted on the CareMerge Live Calendar.
Sign up for a seat in the Mount Baker Room in the Lifestyle Binder. While we have done a number of candidate forums in the past, (City Council, Port Commission, Mayor), this is our first forum for a state-wide office. It is also our first Zoom candidate forum. Questions regarding this matter should be sent to Jim at jimsanders1947@gmail.com