John Richard McCoy (Lushootseed: lulilaš, October 29, 1943 – June 6, 2023) was a Tulalip politician of the Democratic Party based in the state of Washington. In 2013, he was appointed to the State Senate to fill a vacancy and represent the 38th Legislative District. He previously served more than 10 years in the Washington House of Representatives (2003–2013).
John McCoy
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lulilaš
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Member of the Washington Senate from the 38th district | |
In office November 27, 2013 – April 17, 2020 | |
Preceded by | Nick Harper |
Succeeded by | June Robinson |
Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 38th district | |
In office January 13, 2003 – November 27, 2013 | |
Preceded by | Aaron Reardon |
Succeeded by | June Robinson |
Personal details | |
Born | John Richard McCoy (1943-10-29)October 29, 1943 Tulalip, Washington, U.S. |
Died | June 6, 2023(2023-06-06) (aged 79) |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse |
Janet Jean McCoy (m. 1965) |
Children | 3 |
Residence(s) | Tulalip, Washington |
Alma mater | El Capitan High School |
Profession |
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Website | Official website |
Military service | |
Branch/service | United States Air Force |
Years of service | 1961–1981 |
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McCoy was the only self-identified Native American in the State Senate. In 2013, along with Jeff Morris (Tsimshian), he was one of the two Native Americans in the state legislature.[1]
McCoy was born into a Tulalip family on the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Washington.[2] His Lushootseed name was lulilaš.[3] He attended local schools.
McCoy spent 20 years in the Air Force before retiring in 1981. He then became a computer technician at the White House, before leaving to start a career in the private sector.[4]
McCoy would later become active in tribal affairs. He served as general manager of Quil Ceda Village,[1] the tribe's new municipality established in 2001. It included a gaming casino and business park. In 2005 the tribe also opened a 125-store retail outlet, all part of its efforts to diversify the tribe's economy and provide new jobs.[5]
McCoy joined the Democratic Party and became active. In 2002 he ran for office as state representative and won. He served from 2003 to 2013, being re-elected several times.[6]
In his fifth term in the state legislature, McCoy gained passage of a bill to establish a procedure "for the state to cede jurisdiction over criminal and civil matters on tribal lands to federal and tribal governments."[1] In 2013 he was chairman of the Community Development, Housing and Tribal Affairs Committee; vice chairman of the Environment Committee; and member of the Education Committee.[1]
McCoy also served as chairman of the executive committee of the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators; there are 79 Native legislators in 18 states.[1]
On November 27, 2013, the Snohomish County Council selected McCoy to fill the vacancy left when Senator Nick Harper resigned. McCoy was the leading vote-getter of the Democratic Precinct Committee Officers in Washington's 38th Legislative District.[7] He retired from the State Senate on April 17, 2020, citing concerns about his health, and was succeeded by appointee June Robinson.[4]
McCoy had three daughters with his wife Jeannie; the family also had 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren as of 2023[update].[5] He died on June 6, 2023, at home in Tulalip.[2]
McCoy received the 2009 Fuse "Sizzle" Award. He was honored with the Strong Man Award for defending a citizens' clean energy initiative—Initiative-937—from major rollbacks. He brought two sides of the legislature together on the issue to reach a workable compromise.[8]