Meet Dow
[Dow's Top Ten Tracks]
Dow was born and raised in West Seattle. His parents were public school teachers. During his summers, he spent time at the cabin his millworker grandfather built with his own hands on Port Susan Bay in Snohomish County.
When the threat of a major oil port on the bay galvanized the community to take action, a young Dow learned the power of grassroots politics and the rule of law – lessons that would guide his career in public service.
Born to a long line of devoted Huskies, Dow graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in political science, MA in Urban Planning, and law degree.
While at UW, Dow developed his love for music and DJ’ed for several years at the college radio station, KCMU (now KEXP), where he first met (in his words “much cooler”) DJ and Music Director Shirley Carlson. They later married.
Dow began his career practicing law and served three years as Chair of the 34th District Democrats. When he and his brother Blair teamed with then-unknown activist Charlie Chong and other neighbors in the successful effort to preserve the College Street Ravine, Dow first met and worked with young County Councilmember Greg Nickels.
In 1996, Dow won election to Washington’s House of Representatives.
In 1998, he was re-elected and became co-chair of the House Judiciary Committee. He was elected to the State Senate. Here he served as vice-chair of the Ways and Means and Judiciary Committees.
In early 2002, when Councilmember Nickels became Seattle’s mayor, Dow was appointed to the King County Council where he served for nine years before being elected to King County Executive in 2009.
As King County Executive, Dow has fought for progressive policies that advance equity, inclusion and fairness for people from all walks of life.
Dow has been recognized throughout the state and nationally for his leadership in reforming government, defending the rights of women and the LGBTQ community; promoting health, child development, and cultural vibrancy; and protecting our air, water and climate. Check out his accomplishments here.
Dow, Shirley, and their daughter Sabrina live in the West Seattle neighborhood where Dow was raised – the next generation of the family to call this special region home.