background check from a local law-enforcement agency. In the legislature, Pedersen has been a key proponent for the replacement of the Evergreen Point floating bridge and has introduced legislation to block the state's department of transportation from capping spending on the project. In 2012, Pedersen publicly endorsed both Washington Initiative 502 and Washington Referendum 74, which legalized the retail sale of marijuana and same-sex marriage, respectively. In January 2020, Pedersen introduced a bill to mandate local school districts create individualized learning programs for students who are selected to participate in gifted programs before those programs are terminated. Personal life Pedersen is openly gay and is one of several LGBT members of the Washington State Legislature, alongside Sen. Marko Liias (D–Mukilteo) and Reps. Jim Moeller (D–Vancouver), Nicole Macri (D–Seattle), Christine Kilduff (D–University Place), Joan McBride (D–Kirkland), Laurie Jinkins (D–Tacoma) and Sklyer Rude (R-Walla Walla). Pedersen is married to Eric Cochran Pedersen, a high school assistant principal whom he met in 2004 while attending Seattle's Central Lutheran Church. Pedersen and his husband have four sons: Trygve Cochran Pedersen, and a set of triplets—Leif, Anders, and Erik—born in early 2009. The children were all given traditional Norwegian names by Pedersen who is ethnically Norwegian. References External links Elect Jamie Pedersen official campaign website Washington State Legislature - Rep. Jamie Pedersen official WA House website Project Vote Smart - Representative Jamie Pedersen (WA) profile Follow the Money - Jamie D. Pedersen 2008 campaign contributions Democratic Party members of the Washington House of Representatives 1968 births Living people Gay politicians LGBT state legislators in Washington (state) Politicians from Seattle Politicians from Puyallup, Washington Democratic Party Washington (state) state senators 21st-century American politicians