An Interview with Mike Pellicciotti
I’m privileged to be able to feature a conversation with Mike Pellicciotti, my childhood friend from sixth grade, a devoted public servant and a rising political star. In 2020, his campaign was the only Democratic campaign in America to beat a state executive incumbent. There’s never been a better time to get to know the Washington State Treasurer.
I’m grateful Full Length Mirror has given me the impetus to reconnect with many people. For this month’s interview, I’m thrilled to feature Mike Pellicciotti, Treasurer of Washington State. In 2020, his campaign was the only Democratic campaign in America to beat a state executive incumbent. Among his many accomplishments are maintaining Washington’s credit rating (AAA), refinancing state debt to save over $290mm, and helping coordinate Washington to be the first state to receive federal funds to help with the impact of the pandemic.
When I look back at my childhood, there were very few people I thought I knew better than Mike. From the moment we became friends in sixth grade, Mike’s inherent goodness was evident in every interaction with him. I knew he would do something with a higher purpose; that he would play fair and tell the truth. So it’s no surprise he’s a public servant with a bright future ahead of him. Regardless of politics, I think we all have a lot to learn from Mike’s focus, dedication and self-awareness.
Tell me a little about how you grew up?
I was born and raised in Indiana, mostly being raised in a town called Munster about 45 minutes southeast of Chicago. I ended up heading out East to attend Alfred University and then to the Pacific Northwest to attend Gonzaga for my law degree. In between, I was also lucky to be a Fulbright Scholar to Canada, where I received a Masters in Rural Development. My educator parents and their commitment to education profoundly affected my upbringing, but I was also influenced by spending every summer of my childhood living with my grandparents in upstate New York. They had recently retired as a cleaning lady and a janitor. I learned some of my most valuable lessons from what they taught me, whether by listening to them about their experiences navigating a difficult world or just feeling their commitment to hard work.
What about the time you spent with them shapes the way you think right now?
How hard they worked (very) and how they lived (modestly) helped make me want to make sure every individual gets a fair shot in life. My grandparents didn’t want anything “extra” - they just wanted to have a chance at a decent life for themselves and their children given how hard they worked. They also had a good sense of right and wrong, and how people with the most resources concentrate power and want the most for themselves, but the wealthy don’t think enough about the needs of those without power who work the hardest and ask for the least for themselves. These combination of influences between my parents and grandparents helped form priorities important to me.
What motivates you right now?
“ I believe new policies addressing economic inequity are the most direct, longest-lasting ways to put our country back on the right track. ”
Of course my childhood and my family impacted the person and public servant I am now. Those experiences motivated me early in my career to prosecute economic crimes that I did as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and an Assistant Attorney General, and my subsequent work as a legislator creating laws to increase penalties for corporate crime and to get “dark money” out of politics.
As State Treasurer, I want to work on behalf of everyone in my State, knowing that working families and retirees are the most impacted by policies, but they don’t always have the strongest voices in how laws are written. Those playing by the rules and consistently putting in an honest day’s work are barely surviving, let alone thriving, in our country today. People - of all political parties and backgrounds - feel like the deck is stacked against them and they’re angry and frustrated. I believe new policies addressing economic inequity are the most direct, longest-lasting ways to put our country back on the right track.
It’s clear that there is a concentration of wealth - and power - among a narrowing elite in our country. I don’t want to see those powerful interests become so powerful and disconnected from working people that the American institutions that do promote equality, fairness, and opportunity are destroyed in the wake of a growing tidal wave of discontent. America must be a place where everyone should be included and able to use their skills and God-given talents to reach their full potential.
What is something that you’re particularly proud of?
One piece of legislation that I introduced this month is something I hope will have a far-reaching, multi-generational impact. It’s called the Washington Future Fund. It’s an idea modeled after “baby bonds” that would invest money in the name of every Medicaid-funded newborn birth, putting aside $3,200 to be invested by the state over the next two decades. This investment fund will hopefully grow 3-4 times in size by the time the newborn becomes an adult and will then be available for educational attainment, for a housing down payment, or to start a small business. It’s about folks having a fair chance for success. We are hoping to use this wealth growth to help break cycles of poverty. This initiative is an important first step in addressing generational wealth inequities, and I hope we are successful with it so other states can be next.
Many of your policies would be characterized as progressive (in your words). Is that intentional, or do you think that they are “common sense” and actually apolitical, but you “need” to refer to them as “progressive”?
The reality is that we’re polarized as a country - that’s obvious - so labeling policies is not as important as what they do. What’s most critical is that we come together and move things forward so we can process as a nation. In my role as State Treasurer, everything that I’m fighting for - equal access to opportunity, holding powerful interests accountable, getting corporate special interest money out of politics, and fighting for working families and retirees - are all things I think most folks in my state agree with. Until we fully confront these issues, however, I think many people will continue to feel that government isn’t serving their interests.
Do you have any rituals that help you stay grounded and focused on doing the best job you can do professionally?
I love my job and it keeps me busy. But staying connected with friends and family is very important - and grounding - to me, as is connecting with constituents as much as I can to make sure my work is best meeting the needs of the public. It’s important that elected officials constantly remind themselves that you are simply a temporary occupant of the role currently held.
Is there something else you’d like to share?
It’s such a pleasure to connect with you. And I appreciate your questions. There have been few times in our history when it’s been more critical for everyone to engage with the political process. It’s important that we don’t take anything for granted and that we hold people in power accountable. This can only happen the more we all engage and support candidates who are fully committed to democracy and the rule of law. Thanks again for letting me connect with you today.