Skip to main content

You make this possible. Support our independent, nonprofit newsroom today.

Give Now

Amazon hires a state Senator to up its lobbying game in Olympia

caption: The Amazon spheres at its Seattle headquarters.
Enlarge Icon
The Amazon spheres at its Seattle headquarters.
KUOW Photo/Megan Farmer

The Democratic state Senator from Snohomish County has quit government to become a lobbyist for Amazon.

Guy Palumbo made the announcement on Twitter today. Palumbo has worked at Amazon before: he was one of the company's first 800 employees. Now he returns as the Director of Public Policy.

Palumbo will lead Amazon's Washington state policy team, which grows from two to three people. Amazon says it is staffing up to support its footprint in Washington state. It confirmed Palumbo's hire.

Amazon has a headquarters in Seattle and is is developing an important tech hub in Bellevue. It also has warehouses all over the state. It's expected Palumbo will register as a lobbyist. A spokesperson for Palumbo was not available for comment.

Why you can trust KUOW