Kate Plager

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Kate Plager

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

University of Washington, 1979

Graduate

Antioch University, 1987

Personal

Religion

Christianity

Profession

Program manager

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Twitter

Personal Facebook

Kate Plager (Republican Party) ran for election to the Washington House of Representatives to represent District 22-Position 2. Plager lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Plager completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Kate Plager earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington in 1979. Plager earned a graduate degree from Antioch University in 1987. Plager's career experience includes working as a program manager.

Elections

2022

See also: Washington House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Washington House of Representatives District 22-Position 2

Incumbent Jessica Bateman defeated Kate Plager in the general election for Washington House of Representatives District 22-Position 2 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jessica Bateman (D)	66.3	44,925
		Kate Plager (R)	33.5	22,716
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	98

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 67,739
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Washington House of Representatives District 22-Position 2

Incumbent Jessica Bateman and Kate Plager defeated Kevin Young in the primary for Washington House of Representatives District 22-Position 2 on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jessica Bateman (D)	62.0	27,181
✔		Kate Plager (R)	31.2	13,672
		Kevin Young (D)	6.6	2,882
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	83

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 43,818
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Kate Plager completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Plager's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Kate Plager earned a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from the University of Washington. Kate Plager worked in both profit and non profit organizations developing, directing and managing programs including writing and managing grants and hands on experience. Plager worked as Manager of a National Behavior Education Department. In 2021 Kate Plager organized, Council for Wise Leadership, concerned citizens, to strategize for more effective policy and legislature in Washington State. Kate grew up on a wheat farm in eastern Washington where she learned that hard work and building community strengthens families.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Building a Strong Economy through reducing taxes and lowering government spending & increasing jobs.
• Building Safer Communities & reducing crime by supporting our First Responders and Law Enforcement.
• Education: Support parental involvement, school choice, increasing competency in math & science. Educating our children is key for the future of our society.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public safety

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

1. Sophia Loren because she grew up in a war torn Italy where food was scarce and later worked (happily) as an actress to support her mother and sister. Sophia values family, children and caring for others.

2. Eleanor Roosevelt because she fought for human rights & freedoms and because she was kind and wise..
3. My Grandmother, Katie, and my other Grandmother, Catarina. I want to follow these women because they taught me about compassion, the importance of being kind and generous.

4. My Grandfather, Mandy, because of his generosity during the depression. He was famous for taming wild horses and occasionally won at poker. With his winnings, he would go to the bank auctions and buy back family heirlooms that were being sold, and give them back to families who had lost everything. I grew up cherishing this kind of generosity.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, integrity, respect, good common sense, seek to understand by listening, serving the public.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I enjoy meeting with and listening to colleagues and build professional relationships. I want to make Washington State a better place to live - by building the economy, lowering taxes, increasing jobs, supporting our first responders and law enforcement to make our streets and communities safe again. I am committed to the people, listening and holding monthly town hall meetings to hear from constituents, and be the voice of "we the people."

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To be accountable to the constituents; listen to and understand the needs and priorities of the people living in the district in order to develop bills, be able to communicate, debate and analyze the impact of proposed laws. Collaborate and negotiate with other legislators to resolved differences and reach agreements. .

What legacy would you like to leave?

Cutting through distractions to supporting what is essential to our society, community and district.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The assassination of Present John F. Kennedy. I was 8 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Harvest Cook on my family's wheat farm. I held it every summer from 1962 - 1972. On occasion I drove the wheat truck at harvest. I also worked in the family business growing hydroponic tomatoes.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Power of Purpose: find meaning, Live Longer, Better by Richard J. Leader, Third Edition

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

After an injury, doctors told me that I was going to die, many years ago, and that I might not recover. I thanked them and moved on each step of the way, completely recovering from any and all perceived limitations. I am here today running for public office and caring about my fellow citizens, because of my commitment to live life to the fullest and now, to join with my community, district, fellow legislators and state. I surrendered to a power higher than myself, to walk through life knowing my strengths and understanding my flaws and knowing that control is an illusion. I am a public servant.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Economics. Inflation. Crime. Public Safety. Education. Environment. Polarization. Stopping hatred because of different views.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

No. I am not a politician. I would bring good common sense; a capacity to build relationships with constituents and fellow legislators.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

I believe it is beneficial to build relationships with other legislators. Legislators discuss and work to understand different points of view among themselves and different interest groups, as well as review and respond to the concerns of their constituents.

Legislators engage in collaboration and team work on a daily basis.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

No comment

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Community & Economic Development

Environment & Energy
Public Safety

Rural Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Representative Jim Walsh

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Not at this time.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I've heard several stories about cars and catalytic converters being stolen and residents not being able to buy another car due to living on a limited income. The car just sits in a parking lot or their driveway.

My neighbor was at a bank in Lacey, Washington the week of June 25th, 2022, as it was being robbed. The criminal got away.

I've heard stories about how our law enforcement has not been able to pursue or chase a criminal because of the laws passed that do not allow law enforcement and police officers to increase their speed, they cannot chase criminals. Car thefts have increased by 88% in the past year. Over 12,596 cars have been stolen in Washington State in one year.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Limits need to be set for the governors use of emergency powers, to 30 days.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

That would depend on the issue and the items being compromised. I wouldn't want to compromise and yet legislators collaborate and negotiate with other legislators to resolve differences and eventually reach an agreement.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2022 Elections

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Government

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Newsletters

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External links

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Candidate

Washington House of Representatives District 22-Position 2

Website

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Footnotes

[show]

Current members of the Washington House of Representatives

Leadership

Speaker of the House:Laurie Jinkins

Majority Leader:Joe Fitzgibbon

Minority Leader:Drew Stokesbary

Representatives

District 1-Position 1

Davina Duerr (D)

District 1-Position 2

Shelley Kloba (D)

District 2-Position 1

Andrew Barkis (R)

District 2-Position 2

Matt Marshall (R)

District 3-Position 1

Natasha Hill (D)

District 3-Position 2

Timm Ormsby (D)

District 4-Position 1

Suzanne Schmidt (R)

District 4-Position 2

Rob Chase (R)

District 5-Position 1

Zach Hall (D)

District 5-Position 2

Lisa Callan (D)

District 6-Position 1

Mike Volz (R)

District 6-Position 2

Jenny Graham (R)

District 7-Position 1

David Engell (R)

District 7-Position 2

Hunter Abell (R)

District 8-Position 1

Stephanie Barnard (R)

District 8-Position 2

April Connors (R)

District 9-Position 1

Mary Dye (R)

District 9-Position 2

Joe Schmick (R)

District 10-Position 1

Clyde Shavers (D)

District 10-Position 2

Dave Paul (D)

District 11-Position 1

David Hackney (D)

District 11-Position 2

Steve Bergquist (D)

District 12-Position 1

Brian Burnett (R)

District 12-Position 2

Mike Steele (R)

District 13-Position 1

Tom Dent (R)

District 13-Position 2

Alex Ybarra (R)

District 14-Position 1

Gloria Mendoza (R)

District 14-Position 2

Deb Manjarrez (R)

District 15-Position 1

Chris Corry (R)

District 15-Position 2

Jeremie Dufault (R)

District 16-Position 1

Mark Klicker (R)

District 16-Position 2

Skyler Rude (R)

District 17-Position 1

Kevin Waters (R)

District 17-Position 2

David Stuebe (R)

District 18-Position 1

Stephanie McClintock (R)

District 18-Position 2

John Ley (R)

District 19-Position 1

Jim Walsh (R)

District 19-Position 2

Joel McEntire (R)

District 20-Position 1

Peter Abbarno (R)

District 20-Position 2

Ed Orcutt (R)

District 21-Position 1

Strom Peterson (D)

District 21-Position 2

Lillian Ortiz-Self (D)

District 22-Position 1

Beth Doglio (D)

District 22-Position 2

Lisa Parshley (D)

District 23-Position 1

Tarra Simmons (D)

District 23-Position 2

Greg Nance (D)

District 24-Position 1

Adam Bernbaum (D)

District 24-Position 2

Steve Tharinger (D)

District 25-Position 1

Michael Keaton (R)

District 25-Position 2

Cyndy Jacobsen (R)

District 26-Position 1

Adison Richards (D)

District 26-Position 2

Michelle Caldier (R)

District 27-Position 1

Laurie Jinkins (D)

District 27-Position 2

Jake Fey (D)

District 28-Position 1

Mari Leavitt (D)

District 28-Position 2

Dan Bronoske (D)

District 29-Position 1

Melanie Morgan (D)

District 29-Position 2

Sharlett Mena (D)

District 30-Position 1

Jamila Taylor (D)

District 30-Position 2

Kristine Reeves (D)

District 31-Position 1

Drew Stokesbary (R)

District 31-Position 2

Josh Penner (R)

District 32-Position 1

Cindy Ryu (D)

District 32-Position 2

Lauren Davis (D)

District 33-Position 1

Edwin Obras (D)

District 33-Position 2

Mia Gregerson (D)

District 34-Position 1

Brianna Thomas (D)

District 34-Position 2

Joe Fitzgibbon (D)

District 35-Position 1

Dan Griffey (R)

District 35-Position 2

Travis Couture (R)

District 36-Position 1

Julia Reed (D)

District 36-Position 2

Liz Berry (D)

District 37-Position 1

Sharon Santos (D)

District 37-Position 2

Chipalo Street (D)

District 38-Position 1

Julio Cortes (D)

District 38-Position 2

Mary Fosse (D)

District 39-Position 1

Sam Low (R)

District 39-Position 2

Carolyn Eslick (R)

District 40-Position 1

Debra Lekanoff (D)

District 40-Position 2

Alex Ramel (D)

District 41-Position 1

Janice Zahn (D)

District 41-Position 2

My-Linh Thai (D)

District 42-Position 1

Alicia Rule (D)

District 42-Position 2

Joe Timmons (D)

District 43-Position 1

Nicole Macri (D)

District 43-Position 2

Shaun Scott (D)

District 44-Position 1

Brandy Donaghy (D)

District 44-Position 2

April Berg (D)

District 45-Position 1

Roger Goodman (D)

District 45-Position 2

Larry Springer (D)

District 46-Position 1

Gerry Pollet (D)

District 46-Position 2

Darya Farivar (D)

District 47-Position 1

Debra Entenman (D)

District 47-Position 2

Chris Stearns (D)

District 48-Position 1

Osman Salahuddin (D)

District 48-Position 2

Amy Walen (D)

District 49-Position 1

Sharon Wylie (D)

District 49-Position 2

Monica Stonier (D)

Democratic Party (59)

Republican Party (39)