Slade Gorton Rising Star Award
An annual award given to an individual who shows potential to make a big impact in our state and has met the following criteria:
- Recognition & Accolades by outside groups
- Relevant Achievements
- Contribution to the Party
- Ongoing dedication/commitment to Cause
2024
Snohomish County Councilmember Nate Nehring
2023
Yakima County Commissioner Kyle Curtis
2022
State Representative Kelly Chambers
2021
State Representative Drew Stokesbary
2020
SeaTac City Councilmember Peter Kwon
2019
State Representative Jacquelin Maycumber
2018
State Representative Paul Graves
2017
State Representative Melanie Stambaugh
2016
Todd Myers
2015
Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman
2014
Ben Oakley
2013
State Senator Andy Hill
2012
State Representative Hans Zieger
2011
U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler
Andy Hill Learn, Earn, Serve Award
A non annual award given to an individual who:
- Has been working tirelessly towards the conservative cause for several years
- Is having a strong impact on their community
- Has not been widely recognized by another group or organization for their exemplary work.
- The Board will give special consideration to an individual who has not been elected to public office.
2024
Jim Keough
2023
Dann Mead Smith
2020
Mariana Parks
2018
Sharon Hanek
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. He was an active participants in every conference until his heath at age 92 in 2020. Roanoke’s annual Rising Star Awards is named in honor of Slade Gorton due to his strong involvement in the conference and his commitment to help young people who seek a career in politics and become leaders in Washington State.
ANDY HILL
Andy Hill was a successful Microsoft executive and youth soccer advocate before being elected twice to serve in the Washington State Senate from the 45th Legislative District. In Olympia, the senator quickly became a leader in improving the state’s education system and promoting the state’s hi-tech industry. He strongly advocated passing state budgets which respected the state’s taxpayers by efficiently spending public money.
Before becoming involved in politics, Andy faced his initial battle with cancer which caused him to leave Microsoft. During his recovery he developed his “Learn, Earn, and Serve” life philosophy which promotes the belief that we should take knowledge from our education and work experience and use it to improve our communities through public service and volunteerism. Sadly, Senator Hill was stricken again with lung cancer early in his second term, and he passed away in 2016. The Learn, Earn, and Serve Award honors Andy’s commitment to public service and his belief in helping others in our community.