Al Swift, 8-term congressman, always sought the path forward
EVERETT — Al Swift often described Congress as the place America comes to find its compromises.
And Swift, who died Friday, crafted his share of them in eight terms as the Democratic congressman of the 2nd Congressional District from 1979-94.
He spearheaded the passage of the Northwest Power Act, sponsored the federal motor voter law and played an instrumental role in fending off efforts to close Everett Naval Station and Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
Swift led efforts to create the Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve and restore an Amtrak run between Everett and Vancouver, B.C., after it got nixed during the Reagan administration.
“It was about delivering results,” said state Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Mount Vernon, who spent seven years as Swift’s political director. “He really viewed it as his role to find the path forward when there were competing issues.”
Swift died at a hospital in Alexandria, Virginia. He was 82.
Swift was elected in 1978, and re-elected seven times in the district that at one point stretched from Blaine to Ocean Shores and to Port Angeles. Throughout his tenure it included Snohomish, Island, Whatcom and Skagit counties.
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