Slade Gorton
Slade Gorton served in the Washington State House of Representatives from 1958 to 1968, the last two years as Majority Leader. He then became the state’s attorney general before taking on powerful six-term U.S. Senator Warren Magnuson, who he defeated in the 1980 Reagan landslide. During his three terms in the U.S. Senate, Slade worked to promote Washington’s aviation, natural resources and high-tech interests in Washington, D.C. While he worked hard to pass important legislation, he is best known by many for his instrumental role in saving the Seattle Mariners in 1993. Upon leaving the Senate in 2001, Slade was asked by Congress to serve on the 9/11 Commission, where he was a vital unifying figure making important recommendations to reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorist attacks.
Slade was one of the earliest supporters of The Roanoke Conference. Many of his loyal former staff members have served on the board, and he took part in every conference until his death at age 92 in 2020. Roanoke’s annual Rising Star Award is named in his honor, for his involvement in the conference and his commitment to helping young people who seek a career in politics and become leaders in Washington State.