Clyde Ballard

American businessman and politician from Washington

Clyde Ballard

45th Speaker of the Washington House of Representatives
In office January 9, 1995 – January 14, 2002 Serving with Frank Chopp (1999–2002)
Preceded by	Brian Ebersole
Succeeded by	Frank Chopp
Minority Leader of the Washington House of Representatives
In office January 14, 2002 – January 13, 2003
Preceded by	Frank Chopp
Succeeded by	Cathy McMorris Rodgers
In office January 12, 1987 – January 9, 1995
Preceded by	Sim Wilson
Succeeded by	Brian Ebersole
Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 12th district
In office January 10, 1983 – January 13, 2003
Preceded by	Roland Schmitten
Succeeded by	Cary Condotta

Personal details
Born	(1936-06-08) June 8, 1936 (age 87) Batesville, Arkansas, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Ruth Ballard
Children	3, and 2 stepchildren
Occupation	Businessman, politician
Known for	Founder of Ballard Ambulance

Clyde Ballard (born June 8, 1936) is an American businessman and former politician from Washington. Ballard is a former Republican member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 12th district from 1983 to 2003.

Career

Ballard is a former General Manager in a grocery store.^[1]

On August 1, 1967, Ballard and Ruth Ballard founded Ballard Ambulance in Washington.^[1]

On November 2, 1982, Ballard won the election and became a Republican member of the Washington House of Representatives for District 12, Position 1. Ballard defeated Howard D. Pryor and Henry (Fritz) Halla with 60.65% of the votes.^[2]^[1]^[3]

In 1986, Ballard sold Ballard Ambulance to his sons.^[4]

In leadership, he served as Republican Caucus-Chair from 1985 to 1986, as House Minority Leader from 1987 to 1995 and as Speaker of the House from 1995 to 1999. Between 1999 and 2002, no party in the Washington House of Representative held a majority. During this time, Ballard served as Co-Speaker of the House alongside Frank Chopp.^[5]^[6] ^[7]

In 2003, Ballard retired as a member of Washington House of Representatives.^[8]

Awards

2018 Washington State Apple Blossom Grand Marshal.^[1]

Personal life

At age 18, Ballard married Ruth. They have three sons and two foster daughters. Ballard and his family live in East Wenatchee, Washington.^[1]^[3]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Clyde and Ruth Ballard named 2018 Washington State Apple Blossom Grand Marshals". ncwlife.com. April 9, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
^ "WA State House District 12 Seat 1". ourcampaigns.com. November 2, 1982. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Clyde Ballard's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
^ Cary Ordway (2016). "Clyde Ballard: How politics really works from a Wenatchee icon". Retrieved August 18, 2021.
^ "The Spokesman-Review - Google News Archive Search". google.com. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
^ "State of Washington Members of the Legislature, 1889 – 2011" (PDF). Washington State Legislature. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 20, 2022.
^ "Ballard a thorn to Democrats -- and a hero back home". seattlepi.com. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
^ Galloway, Angela (March 12, 2011). "GOP's Ballard calling it quits". seattlepi.com. Retrieved August 18, 2021.