Adam Kline (37)

Adam Daniel Kline is a former American politician and Democratic member of the Washington State Senate, representing the 37th Legislative District , which includes parts of South Seattle, six precincts in Renton, and two in Tukwila. He served from January 20, 1997, to January 12, 2015, for over 17 years, succeeded by Pramila Jayapal, and chose not to seek re-election to focus on family and travel. Kline was known for his outspoken advocacy, chairing the Senate Judiciary Committee, and serving on the Government Operations and Elections Committee and Rules Committee; notable positions included sponsoring bills on gun control and efforts against government intrusion, shortening prison time for nonviolent offenders, racial profiling, and minority lending practices.

Education and Political Experience

Kline participated in the SNCC Freedom Summer project in Greenwood, Mississippi, in 1964, returned in 1972 after law school to work for North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, and later practiced law for nearly 30 years, primarily representing plaintiffs in personal injury and ACLU cases. His political career highlighted his civil rights background, representing Washington's most racially diverse district, with a perfect win rate as incumbent and average vote share of 87.9%.