Twenty-seven-year-old Hans Zeiger is no stranger to public life.
At age 19, Hans ran for precinct committee officer in the 25th legislative district in Washington state. He was elected two years later in 2006 and then again in 2008.
Hans authored a book at age 20, with multiple published works following. He is a regular guest writer to more than 13 newspapers across the country, including the Washington Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Baltimore Sun, and Human Events, where he’s penned hundreds of pieces since teen years, and now, is a distinguished syndicated columnist.
In college, Hans was elected president of the senior class. As World Magazine says, “When Hans shared the commencement stage with Mitt Romney as student president of Hillsdale College, the biased campus buzz was that they’d rather vote for (Hans) Zeiger.”
Newsweek caught hold of him, and profiled him as one of the “15 College Students You Haven’t Heard of … But Will.”
In 2010, at age 25, Hans put himself again on the ticket for his beloved Evergreen State. But this time, he took a more public role.
Now, Hans is in Washington State House of Representatives. He represents his stomping grounds of Puyallup, where he, his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all grew up. Hans brings his district’s voice to the state capital as their state representative.
“I was able to put some of the Leadership Institute’s training to practice while working on campaigns, and then really put it practice on my own campaign for the state legislature,” Hans said. “LI training was essential to my success as a candidate.”
Hans serves on several committees: higher education, transportation, capital budget, and joint legislative audit and review. He is also on
the William Ruckelshaus Center Advisory Board and the American Legislative Exchange Council Environment and Energy Task Force. Hans serves as the alternate House minority member for the Community Economic Revitalization Board.
He is actively engaged with his community through civic and community groups in roles like Boy Scouts of America executive board member, South Hill Historical Society vice president, Kiwanis Club of Puyallup member, One Another Foundation board member, Mainstream Republicans of Washington board of directors, and
Action for Washington Evans Fellow, among many others.
Hans is a graduate of the Leadership Institute’s Broadcast Journalism School in March 2008, Grassroots Activist School in March 2003, and Grassroots Preparation Workshop in January 2003.
“Four lessons I learned from LI,” Hans said, “and put to use in my campaign and public service are: first, stick to your campaign message at all times. Second, wear your nametag on your right side. Third, ask for more money than you think you can get. Fourth, for campaign events, it’s better to have a room too small than a room too big.”
Hans is a graduate of Hillsdale College, where he studied American Studies. He received his Master’s degree in public policy from Pepperdine University, and did graduate studies in American politics and political philosophy at Claremont Graduate University.
“LI is an excellent program for learning how to win in politics,” Hans said. “I recommend LI training strongly for campaign managers, policy professionals, and others who are shaping the future of our communities, state, and country.”
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Please welcome Hans as the Leadership Institute Graduate of the Week!
To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.