Peter Abbarno

American attorney, businessman, and politician

Peter Abbarno

Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 20th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 11, 2021 Serving with Ed Orcutt
Preceded by	Richard DeBolt

Personal details
Born	Peter Jaret Abbarno (1975-09-24) September 24, 1975 (age 48) Buffalo, New York, U.S.^[1]
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Holly Abbarno
Children	2
Residence	Centralia, Washington
Occupation	Attorney, businessman, and politician
Signature

Peter Jaret Abbarno^[2] (born September 24, 1975) is an American attorney, businessman, and politician from Washington. He is a Republican member of Washington House of Representatives for District 20. Abbarno took office on January 11, 2021.^[3]

Education

In 1997, Abbarno earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from State University of New York at Fredonia. In 2008, Abbarno earned a Juris Doctor degree from Vermont Law School. In 2009, Abbarno earned a master's degree in Laws in taxation from the University of Washington.^[4]^[5]

Career

Abbarno was a deputy assistant prosecuting attorney in King County Juvenile Court. In 2010, Abbarno joined the law firm of Olson Althauser Samuelson and Rayan (aka Althauser Rayan Abbarno, LLP) in Centralia, Washington.^[5]

In 2015, Abbarno was elected to the Centralia City Council.^[4]

On November 3, 2020, Abbarno won the election and became a Republican member of Washington House of Representatives for District 20, Position 1. Abbarno defeated Timothy Zahn with 70.84% of the votes.^[6]

Legislation

Abbarno twice introduced House Bill 1004, known as Zack's Law. The bill requires the state to post warnings of the dangers of jumping from bridges and subsequent drowning hazards, with particular outreach to provide information regarding cold water shock. The law was named after Zachary Lee Rager, an experienced swimmer who perished from cold water shock while jumping into the Chehalis River from a trestle bridge on the Willapa Hills Trail. The legislature unanimously passed the bill in 2023 by a vote of 95–0. The law also stipulates that a memorial sign about Rager be placed near the bridge where his death occurred.^[7]^[8]

Awards

2019 Person of the Year. Presented by The Chronicle.^[9]
2021 Legislator of the Year. Presented by The Washington Association of Agricultural Educators.^[10]

Personal life

Abbarno's wife is Holly Abbarno. They have two children. Abbarno and his family live in Centralia, Washington.^[5]

References

^ "Attorney, Councilor and Radio Host Keeps His Eye Toward the Future". The Chronicle (Centralia). March 2, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
^ "Pro Bono Publico Honor Roll" (PDF). Washington State Bar News. 75 (8). October 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
^ "Canvass of the Returns of the General Election Held on November 3, 2020" (PDF). State of Washington Secretary of State. December 1, 2020.
^ ^a ^b "Newsmaker Interview with New Representative (and GOP Rising Star) Peter Abbarno". shiftwa.org. December 23, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Peter Abbarno". centralialaw.com. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
^ "WA State House District 20 Seat 1". ourcampaigns.com. November 3, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
^ Fitzgerald, Emily (March 7, 2023). "'Zack's Law' Unanimously Passes in State House of Representatives". The Chronicle. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
^ Pettingill, Rebecca (April 17, 2023). "Bridge safety bill signed into law". Columbia Basin Herald. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
^ "The Chronicle's 2019 Person of the Year: Peter Abbarno". chronline.com. January 10, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
^ "Rep. Abbarno named '2021 Legislator of the Year' by agricultural educators". houserepublicans.wa.gov. August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.(archived)