Representative John Edward Cunningham

John Edward “Jack” Cunningham III (March 27, 1931 – March 28, 2025) was an American politician from the state of Washington who served one term as a Republican Representative in the United States House of Representatives from 1977 to 1979. Over the course of his public career, he held office in both chambers of the Washington State Legislature and in Congress, representing constituencies in the Seattle area during a period of significant political and economic change in the Pacific Northwest and the nation.

Cunningham was born on March 27, 1931. Details of his early life, including his family background and upbringing, are not extensively documented in public sources, but his later political career indicates a long-standing connection to Washington State and familiarity with the issues facing its urban and suburban communities. His emergence in public office in the early 1970s coincided with a time of rapid growth and transformation in the Seattle region, which would shape much of the policy environment in which he served.

Before entering federal office, Cunningham built his political career in the Washington State Legislature. A member of the Republican Party, he was first elected to the Washington House of Representatives, where he served from 1973 to 1975. In this role he represented the 33rd legislative district, an area that included parts of south King County, and participated in state-level lawmaking during a period marked by debates over taxation, education funding, and infrastructure to support the region’s expanding population. His work in the House helped establish his reputation within the state Republican Party and among his constituents.

In 1975, Cunningham advanced to the Washington State Senate, again representing the 33rd legislative district. He served in the Senate from 1975 to 1977, continuing his involvement in state policy and gaining further legislative experience. His tenure in the upper chamber of the state legislature placed him at the center of deliberations on statewide priorities, including economic development and the delivery of public services in a growing metropolitan area. This period in the Senate provided a platform for his subsequent bid for national office.

Cunningham was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a Republican from Washington’s 7th congressional district, serving from 1977 to 1979. The 7th district, centered on Seattle, was and remains a predominantly Democratic constituency, making his election notable in the state’s political history. During his less than full term in Congress, he participated in the legislative process at the federal level, representing the interests of his district while the nation confronted issues such as economic stagnation, energy policy, and evolving foreign affairs in the late 1970s. As a member of the House of Representatives, he contributed to the democratic process through committee work, floor votes, and constituent services, and he was one of only two Republican members ever to represent Washington’s 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Cunningham’s service in Congress took place during a significant period in American history, as the country adjusted to the aftermath of the Vietnam War, the Watergate era, and shifting economic conditions. His single term in the House concluded in 1979, after which the district returned to Democratic representation. Although he did not return to Congress, his combined service in the Washington House of Representatives, the Washington Senate, and the U.S. House reflected a sustained engagement with public affairs at multiple levels of government.

John Edward “Jack” Cunningham III died on March 28, 2025, at the age of 94. His career left a distinctive mark on Washington State politics, particularly in demonstrating that a Republican could, for a time, represent one of the state’s most strongly Democratic congressional districts. His legislative record at both the state and federal levels stands as a testament to his role in representing Washingtonians during a period of considerable political and social change.