Jim McDermott was born in Chicago, IL on December 28, 1936. He was the first member of his family to attend college, and went on to finish medical school.

After completing his medical residency and serving in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps as Lt. Commander and Chief Psychiatrist at California’s Long Beach Naval Station during the Vietnam War, Rep. McDermott returned in 1970 to the Seattle area where he made his first run for public office and was elected to the State Legislature from the 43rd district in Washington State. In 1974, he ran for the State Senate, and subsequently was re-elected three times.

In 1987, after 15 years of legislative service, Rep. McDermott decided to leave politics and continue in public service as a Foreign Service medical officer based in Zaire, providing psychiatric services to Foreign Service, AID, and Peace Corps personnel in sub-Saharan Africa. When the 7th district Congressional seat later became open, he returned from Africa to run for the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected in 1988 to the 101st Congress and is currently serving his 9th term.

A physician, Rep. McDermott is especially interested in health care issues. While in the state legislature, he developed the Washington Basic Health Plan, the first state program in the country to provide low-cost health insurance to the unemployed and working poor. In the Congress, he is active in Medicare reform and other health care issues. He founded and chairs the Congressional Task Force on International HIV/AIDS; in 1990, Rep. McDermott introduced the AIDS Housing Opportunities Act. In addition, Rep. McDermott introduced HR 1200, a comprehensive proposal to provide every American with affordable health care coverage.  Rep. McDermott authored AGOA, the African Growth and Opportunity Act, and he has led subsequent efforts to improve the landmark legislation.

Rep. McDermott has been honored dozens of times.  Rep. McDermott’s awards include: 2004 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award for Community Service, University of Washington Medical School and Health Sciences Center; 2004 Ralph Bunche Peace and Justice Award, Washington State Bar Association; 2004 Leadership in Justice in Government Award, HateFreeZone of Washington; 2003 President's Award, Minority Executive Directors Coalition of King County; 2003 Distinguished House Defender, Healthy Communities Access Coalition; 2002 National Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and, 2002 Physicians for Social Responsibility Congressional Achievement Award.

Rep. McDermott is married to Therese Hansen, an attorney in Seattle.  He has two adult children and a granddaughter. Rep. McDermott attends St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle.

Rep. Jim McDermott's Official Website

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