Washington Governor. He served as Governor of Washington state from 1957 to 1965, and as a member of the Washington State Senate from 1939 to 1947. A graduate of the University of Washington's School of Law in Seattle, he was a driving force in state Democratic Party politics. Following graduation from law school, he was hired as an assistant deputy prosecutor in the King County Prosecutor's Office by future U.S. Senator Warren G. Magnuson. His numerous accomplishments while serving as governor, included balancing the state's budget, advancing reforms to the state's prison system, improving the state's mental health care system, providing increased funding for state colleges and universities, and the creation of the University of Washington Medical and Dental School in Seattle. As governor, he was also influential in generating support for increased road construction and improvements to the state's highway system. He became a central figure for the introduction and passage of legislation creating the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. In 1964 and 1972, he was defeated in re-election bids for the office of governor by Republican challenger and future United States Senator Daniel J. Evans. Ironically the two political antagonists would become close personal friends later in life, lasting until Rosellini's death. Following his political career as Governor, Rosellini returned to the private practice of law, where he continued to work well into his 90s. In 1988 the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge spanning Lake Washington between the cities of Seattle and Bellevue was renamed in his honor. He died at a Seattle retirement home from complications of pneumonia at the age of 101.
Washington Governor. He served as Governor of Washington state from 1957 to 1965, and as a member of the Washington State Senate from 1939 to 1947. A graduate of the University of Washington's School of Law in Seattle, he was a driving force in state Democratic Party politics. Following graduation from law school, he was hired as an assistant deputy prosecutor in the King County Prosecutor's Office by future U.S. Senator Warren G. Magnuson. His numerous accomplishments while serving as governor, included balancing the state's budget, advancing reforms to the state's prison system, improving the state's mental health care system, providing increased funding for state colleges and universities, and the creation of the University of Washington Medical and Dental School in Seattle. As governor, he was also influential in generating support for increased road construction and improvements to the state's highway system. He became a central figure for the introduction and passage of legislation creating the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. In 1964 and 1972, he was defeated in re-election bids for the office of governor by Republican challenger and future United States Senator Daniel J. Evans. Ironically the two political antagonists would become close personal friends later in life, lasting until Rosellini's death. Following his political career as Governor, Rosellini returned to the private practice of law, where he continued to work well into his 90s. In 1988 the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge spanning Lake Washington between the cities of Seattle and Bellevue was renamed in his honor. He died at a Seattle retirement home from complications of pneumonia at the age of 101.
Bio by: Nils M. Solsvik Jr.
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