September 23, 2021
Allen Hayward, former longtime legal counsel for members of the state House of Representatives, joins the Public Disclosure Commission as its newest commissioner this week.
Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Hayward to the Commission effective Sept. 21, 2021, for a term ending Dec. 31, 2025.
“We are looking forward to drawing on Allen’s expertise gained from many years in state government as we continue to make improvements in how we serve both the officials who disclose information and the public who consumes it,” said Commission Chair Fred Jarrett.
Hayward said his interest in the work of the PDC dates from the agency’s early days. As a student at Willamette University in 1974, he wrote his senior thesis on Initiative 276, which established campaign finance disclosure and public records law in Washington.
“Little did I imagine that almost 50 years later I would be honored with an appointment to the Commission,” Hayward said.
Hayward graduated from the University of Puget Sound Law School and was hired as counsel for the House Republican Caucus in 1979.
In 1980, he became attorney to the Republican Co-Speaker of the House, and over the next 32 years continued to work as a senior legal counsel for House Republicans.
On his retirement in January 2013, he was honored by House Resolution 4605, signed by all the members of the House.
In 2014 he published a book titled “My Ride: The people, procedures and politics of lawmaking at our state capitol.” It explores the legislative process, the politics, and some of the policy disputes that arose during Hayward’s more than three decades with a front row seat to the process.
Hayward, an Olympia native, lives in Tumwater.