James Carl Moeller[1] (July 2, 1955 – March 8, 2023) was an American politician and mental health professional who served as a member of the Washington State House of Representatives, representing the 49th Legislative District from 2003 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented the Clark County communities of Hazel Dell, Walnut Grove, Minnehaha and his native Vancouver.

Jim Moeller
Speaker pro tempore of the Washington House of Representatives
In office
January 10, 2011 – January 9, 2017
Preceded byJeff Morris
Succeeded byTina Orwall
Member of the Washington House of Representatives
from the 49th district
In office
January 13, 2003 – January 9, 2017
Preceded byVal Ogden
Succeeded byMonica Stonier
Personal details
Born
James Carl Moeller

(1955-07-02)July 2, 1955
Vancouver, Washington, U.S.
DiedMarch 8, 2023(2023-03-08) (aged 67)
Political partyDemocratic

Rep. Moeller was one of Washington State's first openly gay lawmakers.

During the 2013–14 Washington State House legislative session, he served as speaker pro tempore. He had previously served two terms as deputy speaker pro tempore (2007–10).[2]

Moeller grew up in Vancouver. He went to Clark College and Washington State University, before doing graduate work at Portland State University.

Elected in 1995 to Vancouver City Council, he was re-elected to a second term in 1999. In 2002, when veteran legislator Val Ogden retired, Moeller ran to succeed her in the state House of Representatives. In a hotly contested Democratic primary, Moeller prevailed by less than 1,000 votes – winning 6,564 votes to his opponent's 5,615.[3] He won the subsequent general election handily and took office in January 2003. He was subsequently re-elected at two-year intervals. He attempted to unseat incumbent U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler in 2016, and lost by 24 points.[4]

Moeller died from complications of Parkinson's disease on March 8, 2023, at the age of 67.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Candidate Registration, James Carl Moeller". Public Disclosure Commission, State of Washington. 2009-01-12. Retrieved 2021-12-25.
  2. ^ "Jim Moeller announces bid for Clark County Council". The Columbian. 23 March 2018.
  3. ^ "Washington Secretary of State: election results". Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  4. ^ "Washington U.S. House 3rd District Results: Jaime Herrera Beutler Wins". New York Times. 1 August 2017.
  5. ^ Phiel, Shari (March 8, 2023). "Former state, Vancouver political leader Jim Moeller dies". The Columbian. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
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