Donn Charnley
Donn Charnley was an American politician in the state of Washington. Charnley served in the Washington House of Representatives and Washington State Senate as a Democrat from the 1st and 44th Districts from 1971 until 1985. In his second stint in the House 1983–1985, Charnley served as the Majority Whip.
Early life and career
Charnely was born in Detroit, Michigan to journalism professor Mitchell V Charnley and writer Margery “Peg” Lindsay.In 1937 he went to San Juan International Camp for young men on San Juan Island; later known as Henderson Camp and today called Camp Nor'Wester. He often said the saying he learned there in 1937 helped guide him to his roles in life from being an educator, ski instructor, law maker and more. The saying "SJS means STO" which stands for San Juan Spirt means Service To Others from this camp guided Charnley his whole life.
As child was in Boy Scouts of America and worked his way up to the Rank of Life before getting active in the Sea Scouts which he was part of till graduation from High School.
He graduated from Broadway High School in Seattle in 1945. Charnley graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master of Science degree in Geology from the University of Washington, and later a mater's degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota in 1965.
Did also attend Seattle University for a short time.
His longest-standing best friend was Bill Holm whom he met in 1946, an artist & art historian; at University of Washington. Later he and his family struck up a friendship with Mungo Martin of the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation, which led to Charnley to help Holm who directed Charnley how to paint and crave totem poles at camp locations of Henderson Camp on Lopez Island and Johns Island, through friendship he received a name and the dance rights to the Humsamla Pole dance.
In January 1955, Charnley started teaching in the Seattle Public Schools, first as a Special Ed. Teacher 1955-6, then Safety Education & Driver Education at Ballard High School & Asa Mercer Jr High School. He taught 7th & 9th grade Science in 1960-1. He was a Counselor at West Seattle High School from 1961-1966.
In 1964, Charnley started teaching at Shoreline Community College, retiring in December 1996. After spending his first ten years in the Seattle Public Schools including a time at West Seattle High School. As well spent one year a jr. high science teacher at Asa Mercer Middle School which was in his top three all time years in education he later would tell his six children, several grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Even after retirement Donn still found ways to be a teacher. Teaching Geology for the Creative Retirement Institute for Edmonds Community College, as well for TELOS at Bellevue College, through the UW at Trinity Retirement Community in Redmond. In fact even after his 94th birthday was on zoom teaching Geology of Mount St. Helens.
Political career
In 1968 was appointed as Precinct Committee Officer or Precinct Captain or precinct committeeman in some states. From there was re-elected in this role every two years that span over forty years. Serving in total from 1968 till December 1, 2010. He was succeeded in this role by his youngest son. When his son moved it ended the Precinct the between the two for a total of 55 years.Charnley ran for and was elected to the Washington House of Representatives in 1970 in the 44th Legislative District Pos.1. He served in this position until 1980. During this time served on the Transportation Committee and Local Government Committee. 1977 Severed on Transportation Committee, Energy, Utilities and Rules. 1978 Charnley served on Local Government, was Chair of the Energy & Utilities Committee, and Transportation. 1979 Committees were Local Government, Dem. Chair.;Energy & Utilities, Transportation and thought about running for Speaker Pro Tem. 1980 in the house was on *Local Government, Dem. Chr.; Energy & Utilities, Transportation. 1981 in the state senate was on Higher Education, Local Government, and Transportation. 1982 continued in the State Senate served on Higher Education, Local Government, Transportation committees.
In 1980, Charnley was elected to the Washington State Senate, serving until 1983. In 1982 after redistricting, Charnley was reelected to the State House representing the 1st. In 1984, Charnley unsuccessfully ran for the State Senate in the 1st against Bill Kiskaddon by a 51.61% to 48.39%. Additionally, in 1981 did talk to Mike Lowry about either running for Congress United States House of Representatives or Lieutenant Governor of Washington, Lowry told him the hours with flights would not be his friend but to look at Lieutenant Governor of Washington in 1988 or 1992 if he could get some "Big Wins" in the state senate.
In the early 1980's meet and mentored Patty Murray, who would serve as Campaign Manager to Charnley a few times. In 1988 Charnley would serve as Chair of her run for the Washington State Senate. As well often supporting her with her future election and re-elections to the United States Senate in 1992, 1998, 2004, 2010, 2016 and 2022. From Fundraising, Phone Banking, Date Entry, Canvasing and more.
Would continue to serve as a mentor and guide others who wanted to serve as an elected official. In 2005 after the campaign for King County Council became ugly he endorsed Bob Ferguson and would go on knock on 504 doors the week before the primary alone. He thought every citizen should spend at least a term on a city council, school board, water district and other small posts to help with the governing of the United States. As the thought that if you have more people active in with diverse backgrounds then it would a better nation.
Was an early supporter of Cindy Ryu in 2003 before seeing her getting elected to city council in 2005 and two years later becoming the first Korean-American Woman to be Mayor of city in the United States in 2008. As well supported often the city of Shoreline's first Native American Mayor Chris Roberts of the Choctaw Nation. Including Roberts first run for city council in 2009.