Pam Roach

Pamela Jean Roach (née Norris; born April 26, 1948) is an American politician who was a member of the Pierce County Council from 2017 to 2021. A member of the Republican Party, she served as a member of the Washington State Senate, representing the 31st district from 1991 to 2017.

Elected office Roach was elected to the Senate in 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014. Her last term would have expired in January 2019, but she was elected to the Pierce County Council and resigned her Senate seat in January 2017.

She ran for governor in 1996, finishing in 8th place out of 15 candidates in the jungle primary with 2.43% of the vote.

Censures and sanctions while senator In 2003, Roach was reprimanded and asked to seek counseling after she allegedly illegally obtained employee e-mails and drove some to quit.

In 2010, fellow Senate Republicans banned her from the Senate Caucus after colleagues said she had repeatedly mistreated staff. Roach attributed the sanction to rough politics, and said she was not informed of the complaints or accusers. Republicans barred her from the caucus room, though she could still vote on the Senate Floor. While sanctioned, Roach abused a Republican staffer charged to uphold the sanction.

Senate Republican leadership lifted the sanctions in February 2012, and Roach said the sanctions had no merit.

In August 2017, county executive Bruce Dammeier issued a letter to department directors and staffers, directing them to communicate with Roach only in writing or in public council meetings. Dammeier's memo cited "rude and unprofessional behavior" with county staff as the basis for the restrictions. Roach, in response, asserted that the strictures were based on politics.

During a council offsite meeting in 2018, Roach uttered a profane word to her son Dan Roach, who was also a councilmember, during a heated discussion. Roach later issued a statement saying: "In the heat of the moment, I used harsh words that I regret. It was a mistake. I love my son dearly but sometimes we have political disagreements. Nonetheless, that's no excuse for harsh language."

Awards 2014 Guardians of Small Business award. Presented by NFIB. Roach received the Key Award from the WA Coalition for Open Government.

Personal life and education Roach received a bachelor's degree in history from Brigham Young University in 1970, and received a teaching certificate the next year.

Roach and her husband, Jim, have been married for over 30 years. They have five grown children, one of whom (Dan Roach) chaired the Pierce County Council while Pam was also a member.

Roach is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.