Cheryl Ann Pflug (born February 28, 1957) is an American lawyer, nurse, and politician who is a member of the Republican Party. She was a member of the Washington State Senate from 2004 to 2012.[1][2][3]
Early life and education
Pflug earned her B.S. in Nursing from the University of Washington and worked as a critical care and operating room nurse[4] while raising 4 children on a family farm adjacent to the Cedar River Watershed. She received a J.D. from Seattle University School of Law in 2012 and was admitted to the Bar in 2014.[5]
State legislature
Pflug served the 5th District in the State Legislature for nearly 14 years before being appointed to the Growth Management Hearings Board by Governor Gregoire in May 2012.[6] The 5th District straddles the Urban Growth Line, causing local governments to continually struggle to balance the need for infrastructure and services with a commitment to preserving community character, open space, fish habitat and pristine recreational areas.[6] Over the course of her legislative career, Pflug used her health care experience to improve health outcomes while reducing unnecessary costs,[4] authoring several first-in-the-nation innovations that were adopted into law[4][7] and pushing through legislation to give the office of the Attorney General strong tools to prosecute multimillion-dollar corporate Medicaid fraud schemes.[8][9][10] Pflug also championed infrastructure,[6] education, http://www.issaquahpress.com/2012/05/29/state-sen-cheryl-pflug-departs-suddenly-to-accept-board-post/ hatchery and parks improvements[11] to support the needs of the rapidly growing communities she represented.[12][13]
As a legislator, Pflug earned a reputation as "an independent workhorse"[4] willing to work across party lines.[14] She crafted legislation to create treatment alternatives for nonviolent mentally-ill misdemeanants[10] and cast the decisive vote to create a simple-majority requirement for school levies.[4] In 2008, Pflug was honored with the commission of Washington General for commitment to her community and service to the state of Washington,[15] and the "Champion of Freedom Award" in 2012.[16]
Often questioned for her growing cynicism,[17] Pflug also paid a price for defying her party leaders[18] but rarely backed down.[19][20]
Appointment to the Growth Management Planning Board
In May 2012, Governor Christine Gregoire nominated Pflug to a seat on the Growth Management Planning Board.
Following the appointment, Republican Party Chairman Kirby Wilbur suggested the appointment was a "deal" to give the Democrats her Senate seat, an allegation called "hypocritical" by observers.[21]
Pflug resigned her Senate seat on June 30, 2012, the day before her Growth Board appointment commenced on July 1, 2012.[6] On July 11, 2012, Dino Rossi was appointed to fill the term of Pflug.[22] In November 2012, Mark Mullet was elected to represent the 5th legislative district in the senate.
Post-legislative career
In July 2012, Pflug was featured in the first Washington television ad supporting same-sex marriage.[23] The ad aired during the opening ceremonies for the Summer Olympic Games.[23]
