Key Points
- Former Washington state lawmaker Eric Robertson died on 24 April after suffering a stroke, according to former Rep. Kelly Chambers, who described the death as a “tremendous shock.”
- Robertson was 62 and had served the 31st Legislative District in two separate periods, from 1995 to 1998 and again from 2021 to 2025.
- He had previously worked in law enforcement, rising through the Washington State Patrol before being appointed U.S. Marshal for western Washington by former President George W. Bush in 2002.
- He later worked as an administrator for the Valley Regional Fire Authority before retiring in 2018 and then returning to the Legislature in 2021.
- Colleagues from both parties paid tribute to his service, describing him as steady, generous and deeply committed to others.
- His death comes during a difficult period for Washington politics, following the recent deaths of former lawmakers Phil Rockefeller and Sam Hunt.
Washington (Evening Washington News) May 5, 2026 – Former Washington state lawmaker Eric Robertson has died after a stroke, marking the loss of a Republican figure whose career stretched across law enforcement, public administration and the Legislature. As reported by former Rep. Kelly Chambers of the Washington State Standard, Robertson died “far too soon after a stroke,” and she described the news as a “tremendous shock.”
What happened to Eric Robertson?
Robertson died on 24 April at the age of 62, according to the reporting and comments shared publicly by colleagues.
He had served two non-consecutive terms in the Washington House, representing the 31st Legislative District from 1995 to 1998 and again from 2021 to 2025.
The report said he was a former House Republican caucus chair, underlining the senior role he held within his caucus during his time in office.
Who was Eric Robertson?
Robertson grew up in Buckley and attended White River public schools and Green River Community College, according to the House Republican Caucus.
His professional background began in public safety, with the Washington State Patrol hiring him in 1983.
He later rose through the ranks and, in 2002, was appointed U.S. Marshal for western Washington by then-President George W. Bush, a post he held until 2007.
After leaving federal service, he became an administrator for the Valley Regional Fire Authority and remained there until retiring in 2018.
That retirement did not last permanently, as he returned to electoral politics in 2021 and rejoined the Legislature for another two terms.
His career therefore spanned state policing, federal law enforcement, fire service administration and legislative work.
How did colleagues respond?
Former Rep. Kelly Chambers wrote that Robertson was
“a big man with an even bigger heart”
and recalled practical acts of kindness, including helping people get where they needed to go and looking out for others.
She said he was “steady Eddie,” someone others could rely on. Her comments framed Robertson not only as a political colleague but also as a personal presence who helped those around him.
House Republican leader Rep. Drew Stokesbary said Robertson
“devoted his life to serving others — with integrity, humility, and a deep sense of duty.”
Rep. April Connors said he took her under his wing when she worked on the legislative committee handling labour relations, adding that he taught younger lawmakers how to navigate the process and work effectively with the majority. Rep. Travis Couture also described him as kind, generous, funny, collaborative and caring.
What was his legislative record?
Robertson returned to the Legislature in 2021 after years away from elected office and was part of a successful effort to roll back Democratic-backed restrictions on vehicle pursuits by police.
That issue reflected his background in law enforcement and public safety, which often shaped his political priorities.
His years in office also connected him to both seasoned Republicans and newer lawmakers who described him as a mentor.
Democratic Rep. Alicia Rule said she and Robertson often disagreed politically but still “moved mountains together” when they found common ground. She said their relationship eventually became a friendship, adding that such friendships are “all too rare these days.”
That reaction suggested Robertson’s relationships crossed party lines in a Legislature often marked by sharp division.
Why does his death matter now?
Robertson’s death comes after the recent deaths of other former Washington lawmakers, adding to a period of loss in the state’s political community.
Former Democratic Sen. Phil Rockefeller died on 15 April at the age of 87, while longtime lawmaker Sam Hunt died last month at 83.
Together, these losses have removed several well-known figures from Washington’s legislative history within a short span.
The timing also highlights how many of Washington’s former leaders had continued public roles after leaving elected office.
Rockefeller had served on the state’s Salmon Recovery Funding Board until 2020, while Hunt remained active in civic service and as a Washington State University regent.
Robertson, in his own way, also belonged to that tradition of public servants whose work extended beyond one office or one period of service.
Background of the development
Robertson’s death sits within a broader story of Washington political memory and public service. He belonged to a generation of lawmakers who moved between public safety, local service and statewide politics, often carrying practical experience from one role into another.
His return to the Legislature after retirement also reflected a pattern seen in some public servants who step away and later come back when they believe they can still contribute.
The recent deaths of Rockefeller, Hunt and Robertson have also prompted reflection on the Legislature’s institutional memory.
Senior lawmakers often play a quieter but important role in mentoring newer members, passing on procedural knowledge and maintaining continuity in policy debates.
Robertson’s tributes suggest that his influence was felt not only through votes and committee work but also through personal guidance and informal leadership.
Prediction: how could this affect lawmakers and constituents?
For constituents in the 31st Legislative District, Robertson’s death may prompt renewed attention to the public safety and local governance issues he often represented.
His career suggests that voters valued a lawmaker with practical experience, and his absence may be felt by those who knew him as a steady local figure.
Colleagues may also draw on his example when discussing mentorship, bipartisanship and service-oriented politics.
For the wider Washington Legislature, the development is likely to strengthen calls to preserve institutional knowledge and record the contributions of former members.
The tributes already point to a lawmaker remembered for relationship-building as much as policy positions, which may shape how his work is referenced in future political coverage.
In the near term, the main effect is likely to be ceremonial and reflective rather than legislative, but it reinforces the human cost of the state’s recent run of losses among former elected officials.
