Sen. Kevin Van De Wege and Rep. Mike Chapman have hired new legislative assistants that they said bring strong familiarity and knowledge of the communities that make up the lawmakers’ 24th Legislative District.
The office of Van De Wege, a Sequim Democrat, is now managed by Peter Steelquist, an experienced political staffer and native of Sequim.
“I have had the very good fortune of first-rate support from the time I entered the Legislature, and that good fortune is continuing with Peter,” Van De Wege said.
“He’s a natural fit — he knows the district, he knows our local issues, and he knows the ins and outs of Olympia.”
Steelquist previously staffed offices of Sen. Christine Rolfes, the chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Democrats’ chief budget writer, and Sen. Sharon Nelson, the Senate’s former majority leader who retired after a landmark legislative session in 2018.
“Having grown up in the district, I’m excited to come back home and to be able to apply my knowledge of our community to our work in the Legislature,” Steelquist said.
Van De Wege and Steelquist can be reached at 360-786-7646 in Room 212 of the John A. Cherberg Building on the Capitol Campus in Olympia.
The office of Chapman, a Port Angeles Democrat, is now run by Annika Pederson, who grew up in Port Angeles, received her bachelor’s degree in politics and government from Pacific Lutheran University and previously worked for the Port Townsend Leader.
“It takes teamwork to get things done, and I am so happy to have Annika on my team as we tackle the challenges that all of our families face here in the 24th District,” Chapman said.
“I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to give back to my community,” Pederson said. “It’s an honor to serve the people of the 24th District.”
Chapman and Pederson can be reached at 360-786-7916 in Room 132B of the John L. O’Brien Building on the Capitol Campus.
