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Tag: Patrick McDonald

John Spellman
Remembering Governor Spellman

Remembering Governor Spellman

The Jan. 16 death of former Gov. John D. Spellman at 91 prompted personal reminiscences from several staffers in the Office of the Secretary of State who knew Spellman during and after his 1981-85 time in state office. State Archivist Steve Excell, who served as Gov. Spellman’s chief of staff, said in a television interview with KING-5 that Spellman had changed his life, as well as those of countless Washingtonians. “He was a true statesman,” Excell said. “He was a…

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Former Gov. John Spellman visits Capitol.
Former Gov. Spellman visits WA Capitol

Former Gov. Spellman visits WA Capitol

More than three decades after serving as Washington’s governor, John Spellman returned to Olympia to tour the Governor’s Mansion and Capitol and meet with current Gov. Jay Inslee. Before seeing the governor, 90-year-old Spellman, along with two of his sons, a grandson and a granddaughter, stopped by our office to meet with staff, including two alumni from Spellman’s gubernatorial staff – State Archivist Steve Excell, who served as Spellman’s chief of staff, and Patrick McDonald, who was an intern and…

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One of our own receives military promotion

One of our own receives military promotion

Patrick McDonald’s ceremonial promotion to Army Sergeant Major drew dozens of friends, colleagues, three Washington secretaries of state, and officials of all three branches of government. McDonald, who was assistant to then-Gov. John Spellman and legislators, has been a top official in the Secretary of State’s executive office, handling everything from visitor protocol and bill-signings and proclamations,  to international visits and the office facility needs. He is an expert on legislative and Capitol history. He is a graduate of St….

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From Your Corner of…Mongolia?!

From Your Corner of…Mongolia?!

Patrick McDonald, who is the Assistant to Secretary of State Sam Reed and an Army reserve First Sergeant, is currently in Mongolia as part of his military service. He is spending his yearly Annual Training taking part in the Khan Quest II exercise along with soldiers from 10 other nations who are training for peacekeeping operations. He took this photo of local Mongolian children during a recent horse race outside his base camp about 50 miles from the Capitol of…

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