Don Eldridge
When Don Eldridge first ran for the Legislature in 1952, the Mount Vernon Argus
identified him as the "favorite son" candidate in a crowded field of contenders
for the Fortieth District seat. Well they might. Eldridge was born in Mount Vernon
in 1919 and grew up in the community and personified the best of town life. He was
deeply involved in community building as an active member and leader in the Junior
Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, Rotary Club, various business organizations, and as a
life-long member of Boy Scouts of America. He also served on the Board of Trustees
for Western Washington State College for a decade. When family tragedy diverted
his chosen course from teaching industrial arts to running the family stationary
store, Don immersed himself in the business and made it a success.
Although busy with work, a growing family and business affairs, Eldridge heeded
his father's concern that there were not enough small business owners in the Legislature,
representing that point of view. Previously involved only in precinct work and campaigns
for others, Don was persuaded to run for office and went to Olympia in 1953 for
his first session. He came back eight more times, rising in the ranks of the House
Republican caucus until he was elected Speaker for his last two terms. Although
not a close member of the Evans inner circle, Eldridge worked with this group as
caucus chair and Speaker to help promote their activist agenda. Acknowledging that
he "had to hold his nose" on some of the more liberal measures, especially the promotion
of the state income tax, Don nonetheless stumped the state with Evans and was deeply
involved in the resurgence of the Republican Party experienced during the Evans
years. While relishing his role in "killing" legislation he considered superfluous
to good government, Eldridge also made solid contributions in fashioning the new
community college system and supporting higher education and keeping a businessman's
eye on Appropriations, unemployment compensation and other issues.
In 1970, Governor Evans appointed Eldridge to serve on the Liquor Control Board
as part of his effort to reform the state's handling of the volatile liquor issue.
Almost instantly, Eldridge and other Board members were embroiled in controversy
which shadowed most of his nine-year appointment. Still, these years saw the modernization
of the agency and transformation of "Blue Law" attitudes to more permissiveness.
After retiring from state service, Eldridge worked with various business groups
to address labor relations issues, served briefly on a commission to redistrict
Congressional districts and developed his own property management business. His
growing family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren keep him involved in their
sports and other activities. He has recently been honored with one of Scouting's
highest honors, a Distinguished Eagle award.
Don Eldridge: An Oral History
News Articles and Documents
Mr. Speaker: A Scrapbook of Photographs and Documents
Don Eldridge, Member, The Liquor Control Board
Background History of the Liquor Control Board
Don Eldridge as Member of the Liquor Control Board
The Case Against the Liquor Control Board Members