Bush taps top trooper to be federal marshal

Associated Press

OLYMPIA — State Patrol Capt. Eric Robertson, who rose to the top of the Legislature and the highest ranks of the patrol, is the White House choice for U.S. marshal for Western Washington.

Robertson said Monday that President Bush sent his nomination to the Senate late last week. The appointment is effective as soon as he is confirmed, possibly later this month.

Robertson is one of the most popular figures at the state Capitol. As a state House member from 1994 to 1998, he became Republican caucus chairman and was a leading party spokesman.

He spent 18 years with the State Patrol, taking leaves to serve in the part-time Legislature and returning to patrol duties when the sessions ended.

Although he was on a fast track to become speaker, he resigned to take a promotion at the patrol, becoming a top adviser to the chief and director of government and media relations. Leaders in both parties gave him high marks as the agency’s lobbyist.

After Bush narrowly won the White House a year ago, Robertson put in his name for the marshal’s post. He had his background check done, but then heard little.

"I got the word of my nomination late Thursday. I was right in the middle of a root canal," Robertson said in an interview. "I’m pretty excited about it — cautiously optimistic because there is still the Senate confirmation process."

As marshal, he will oversee a staff of about 30 deputies and about 50 court security officers, with offices in Seattle and Tacoma. The marshal provides security for the federal courthouses and judiciary, works on tracking down fugitives and works on other security assignments from the government.

Robertson, 38, lives in near Bonney Lake in Pierce County. He and his wife, Carolyn, have three sons, a daughter and a new foster son who is 15 months old.

Robertson credited U.S. Rep. Jennifer Dunn with championing his nomination, and said he’s working with Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell on confirmation. Cantwell sits on the Judiciary Committee, which screens the nominations.