A. L. Rasmussen

Albert Lawrence "Slim" Rasmussen (October 10, 1909 – January 6, 1993) was an American politician in the state of Washington. He served in the Washington House of Representatives from 1949 to 1961 for district 28, and in the Senate from 1961 to his resignation in November 1967 due to his election as Mayor of Tacoma. He served again in the Senate from October 1971 to fill the unexpired term of John T. McCutcheon, and would serve until his death on January 7, 1993

Washington House From 1949 to 1961, Rasmussen represented district 28 in the Washington House of Representatives.

Washington Senate, first tenure (1961–67) In 1960, Rasmussen was elected a to the 29th district seat on the Washington Senate. He served until November 1967, when he resigned to become mayor of Tacoma.

Rasmussen's candidacy sought to energize the blue collar voters in South Tacoma, and focused his criticisms upon federal programs he considered to be wasteful spending. He also characterized the city charter's council-manager system, and accused the incumbent city manager, David Rowlands, of "dictatorial" leadership amid incumbent mayor Harold M. Tollefson's travels away from the city as president of the National League of Cities.

Rasmussen's mayoralty featured prominent fights between him (along with his allies) and City Manager Rowlands. Rasussen and his allies also pursued efforts to reform the city charter. Young progressives organized in opposition to these efforts. Action Committee for Tacoma (ACT) was formed to recruit opponents to Rasmussen and his allies in the 1969 city elections. This organization was led initially by Republican State Senator Larry Faulk and local attorneys Thomas Fishburn and Richard Turner. In the 1969 mayoral election, Rasmussen was unseated narrowly (Johonston defeated Johnston by a margin of 440 votes of the 43,824 total votes cast and controversial tenure as council president, being fired after the same five councilors suspended rules at a June 30 council meeting to do so.) The episode generated backlash, and the five councilors were recalled by voters in September 1970 (with Oles publicly endorsing the recall).

Washington Senate, second tenure (1971–93) In October 1971, Rasmussen rejoined the Washington Senate, having been elected in a special election to fill the 29th district seat left vacant by the death of John T. McCutcheon. Rasmussen would represent this district until his own death in 1993.

From 1981 until 1983, Rasmussen also held the district 5 seat on the Pierce County Council.

From January 1987 until January 1988, Rasmussen was the president pro tempore of the Washington Senate.