Joel M. Pritchard

Joel M. Pritchard After a decade of working on political campaigns in the Seattle area, Pritchard ran successfully for state representative in Seattle’s Thirty-sixth District in 1958. He entered the Legislature during a period of Republican minorities and worked closely with fellow legislators Dan Evans, Slade Gorton, Charles Moriarty, and others to build a new team of dynamic and moderate Republicans. Later, as a state senator, Pritchard was the chief architect of the liberalization of the state’s abortion law. He was a noted supporter of civil rights, environmental legislation, anti-gambling measures, and other reforms.

In 1972, Pritchard was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving the First Congressional District and served for 12 years. He came home to Washington State to pursue a dream that he had cherished for some time, serving as lieutenant governor. Pritchard realized that dream in 1989 and retired in 1997. Following his retirement, he remained active in many areas, including becoming an active board member of TVW, Washington’s statewide public affairs television channel.

Joel M. Pritchard: An Oral History (2.9M)

Photographs

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Joel Pritchard among a group of children in Vietnam Joel Pritchard among a group of children in Vietnam
Congressman Pritchard with President Gerald Ford Congressman Pritchard with President Gerald Ford
Pritchard with his parents - Frank, Sr. and Jean Pritchard Pritchard with his parents - Frank, Sr. and Jean Pritchard
Lt. Gov. Pritchard with grandchildren Matt and Christie Irwin Lt. Gov. Pritchard with grandchildren Matt and Christie Irwin
Lt. Gov. Pritchard tutoring a student at Seattle's Beacon Hill Elementary School Lt. Gov. Pritchard tutoring a student at Seattle's Beacon Hill Elementary School
Pritchard as a young adult Pritchard as a young adult
Pritchard and the telephone gag Pritchard and the "telephone gag"
Members of the Wednesday Group (l. to r.) California Representative Peter McCloskey, Virginia Representative Caldwell Butler, Pritchard, Minnesota Representative Bill Frenzel and Wednesday Group Executive Director Pat Goldman Members of the Wednesday Group (l. to r.) California Representative Peter McCloskey, Virginia Representative Caldwell Butler, Pritchard, Minnesota Representative Bill Frenzel and Wednesday Group Executive Director Pat Goldman
Lt. Gov. Pritchard with grandchildren Matt and Christie Irwin Pritchard's enthusiasm for sports started at a young age
Pritchard and his Brother, Frank Pritchard, Jr. Pritchard during WW2
Congressman Pritchard with Washington's U.S. Senators Dan Evans and Slade Gorton Joel Pritchard with his brother, Frank Pritchard, Jr.
The Pritchard family on the Chilkoot Trail in Alaska with (l. to r.) son Frank, Pritchard, nephew Jeff and brother Frank Congressman Joel Pritchard with Washington's U.S. Senators Dan Evans and Slade Gorton.
Pritchard actively campaigned for many local, state and national Republican candidates The Pritchard family on the Chilkoot Trail in Alaska with (l. to r.) son Frank, Pritchard, nephew Jeff and brother Frank.
Pritchard at a 1980 press conference about the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Pritchard on the rostrum of the Washington State Senate.
Congressman Pritchard listening to listening to tapes made by President Richard M. Nixon and released as part of the Watergate investigation. Congressman Pritchard listening to listening to tapes made by President Richard M. Nixon and released as part of the Watergate investigation.
Pritchard on the rostrum of the Washington State Senate Pritchard at a 1980 press conference about the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway
Pritchard breaking the tape in a race during his years in Congress Pritchard actively campaigned for many local, state and national Republican candidates.