Politics & Government

Longtime Lakewood Senator Mike Carrell Dies

The legislator for the 28th District lost his battle with myelodysplastic syndrome. He was 69.

Mike Carrell, the longtime Lakewood Republican serving the 28th District, died today after a long fight with myelodysplastic syndrome, or MDS. He was 69.

Carrell was undergoing treatment for the condition, but his condition recently took a turn for the worst, the group trying to raise money for the senator reported on its website.

According to its update Tuesday: "He has struggled to fight off fevers and nausea and has not been able to eat.  Mike is in grave condition and needs everyone to pray for him and Charlotte at this very difficult time."

Carrell spent more than two decades in Olympia, first with the Washington State House of Representatives for 10 years, then successive terms in the Senate in 2004, 2008 and 2012 

Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, reported that Carrell was surrounded by family and friends at University of Washington Medical Center when he passed.

He had been receiving an aggressive treatment of stem-cell transplantation and chemotherapy since mid-April after doctors identified a donor who was a perfect match for Carrell’s bone marrow type.

Here is Schoesler's full statement:

“Mike passed today at about 10:35 am, very peacefully in his sleep, at UW hospital, with his wife Charlotte nearby, of lung complications from his pre-cancer treatment."

“Senator Carrell was a true statesman who put the people of Washington above all else during his 19 years of public service as a legislator. It was a pleasure to serve with him throughout his distinguished Senate career. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time."

“Mike Carrell always looked at his time in the Legislature as a way to represent and serve his neighbors, the people of the Twenty-eighth District. He fought to improve the safety of our communities and for an efficient and effective criminal justice system that above all else would focus on compassion for the victim and protection of the community."

“He wrote the ‘Becca’ laws, which help identify at-risk youth who skip school so they can be given the assistance they need to keep from becoming juvenile, and later adult, offenders. He supported a series of landmark anti-sex trafficking laws, aimed at protecting victims and giving law enforcement more tools to apprehend and prosecute traffickers. And during this year’s legislative session he saw more than half a dozen of the bills he introduced become law, including the first step toward creating a comprehensive, statewide mental-health database. That bill will allow law enforcement to access a complete list of individuals who should be prevented from owning firearms due to a mental illness."

“Senator Carrell was a vocal advocate for our men and women in uniform. His work on behalf of both active-duty military and our veterans will not be forgotten. “A retired teacher, Senator Carrell will also be remembered for being a leader on the issue of education reform. His passionate floor speeches and diligent work in committees were instrumental in changing the attitude of critics and inspiring believers in reform to redouble their efforts."

“Personally, Senator Carrell was kind, warm and gracious man, with a great sense of humor and strong convictions. His commitment to his community was always evident in his work, and you always knew exactly where you stood with him. At the same time, he worked every day he was at the Capitol to reach across the aisle in a bipartisan manner and to get results for his constituents and this state."

“He will be missed by his family, constituents, friends and colleagues more than words can convey.”
Gov. Jay Inslee also released a statement:

“I just heard the news of Senator Carrell’s passing. This is a sad day, and Trudi and I grieve for his family and friends. Senator Carrell was a gentleman and a committed public servant who worked hard for the less fortunate among us. He will be missed by his constituents, fellow lawmakers and everyone who has worked with him over his long career. His service to his constituents and our state will not be forgotten. I had the honor of signing several of his bills into law which will stand as part of his legacy to Washington state.”
Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy released this statement:

"Mike was passionate about public service. He worked hard to hold state government accountable for its spending and decisions, and he was dedicated to protecting our communities by fixing gaps in the criminal justice system. My husband John and I have known Mike for many years, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues.”
For those in Lakewood, University Place, Steilacoom, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and other parts of the 28th District, Carrell was synonymous with state politics. Despite his condition, his death still comes as a shock.

We ask you, Patch users: What will you remember about Carrell?


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