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Senator Matt Boehnke (pronounced *Bank-ee*) represents Washington’s 8th Legislative District in the State Senate after two terms in the State House. A lifelong Tri-Citian, Army veteran, and cybersecurity professor, Boehnke is dedicated to advancing policies that strengthen public safety, expand economic opportunity, and promote innovation in energy and technology.

In the Senate, he serves as Ranking Member of the Environment, Energy & Technology Committee and is a member of the Higher Education, Ways & Means, and Rules Committees. He is also an prominent leader in statewide and national conversations on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced nuclear, and data center policy.

Boehnke has sponsored and passed bipartisan legislation that enhances student safety, expands access to higher education, strengthens mental health services, increases workforce development opportunities, and accelerates reliable energy deployment.

Raised in Kennewick, Boehnke served over 21 years in the U.S. Army Aviation branch, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He is a tenured Assistant Professor with the Cybersecurity Division at Columbia Basin College. He and his wife, Dawn, have been married for over 35 years and are the proud parents of two sons.