It is with heavy hearts that The Council of State Governments remembers Sen. Sam Hunt, a treasured friend, trusted colleague and devoted public servant whose legacy will be felt for generations.

Sam was a dedicated public servant who believed deeply in the responsibility of governing and the importance of bringing people together to serve the public good. He often described the privilege of elected office as being “inside the door rather than outside” — the unique honor of casting a vote rather than seeking to influence one. Throughout his career, he earned the respect of colleagues across party lines through his steady leadership, thoughtful approach and commitment to strengthening state government.

His public service began early and spanned a remarkable range of roles. A graduate of Washington State University, Sam began his career as a Pasco school teacher and served on the Pasco City Council before joining the staff of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee under Sen. Warren G. Magnuson. He returned home to Washington to serve in roles with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Senate, Governor Booth Gardner’s administration, and the state Department of Information Services.

Elected to the Washington House of Representatives in 2000, Sam represented the 22nd Legislative District for more than two decades, 16 years in the House and eight in the Senate. He chaired the State Government, Elections, and Tribal Affairs Committees in both chambers and served on the House Appropriations, Senate Ways and Means, and Early Learning and K-12 Education Committees. Even after leaving the Legislature, Sam continued to answer the call to serve, joining the Washington State University Board of Regents in December 2024.

Sam’s leadership within CSG was an extension of his lifelong dedication to bringing people together. He took part in CSG leadership programs — including the CSG Western Leadership Academy and Henry Toll Fellowship — chaired CSG West in 2017 and served as CSG National Chair in 2022. He championed the development of the next generation of state leaders, and modeled the kind of thoughtful, principled public service that defines CSG at its best. His commitment to that work extended well beyond CSG; he was a longtime volunteer with the National Institute for Civil Discourse, believing that civil discussion is essential to the health of our democracy.

Beyond his public life, Sam was a man of warmth and varied passions, a former Washington State Junior Poultry Man of the Year, a devoted gardener who tended some 50 rose bushes, and a lifelong Mariners fan who never gave up hope of seeing his team reach the World Series.

Throughout his service, Sam often reflected that every step of his career — from teaching to chairing state legislative committees to leading CSG nationally — revealed a common thread: the ability to make a difference. His leadership, mentorship and example will continue to guide the CSG community and the many state leaders he inspired.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Sam’s family, friends and colleagues, and to the many people whose lives he touched through his service. His legacy will endure in the institutions he helped strengthen and in the example he set for public service.