Friends,

In case you haven’t heard, I just completed the first week in my new office at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe – a Seattle law firm which I have joined as a partner. My practice at Orrick, which was founded in San Francisco 150 years ago, will include policy advocacy, regulatory compliance and litigation strategies for clients across the country. I am very excited to be the co-chair of the firm’s Public Policy Group, which will allow me to work with clients to solve their most important legal and competitive issues in state legislatures and before state attorneys general.

In addition to my legal work, I will continue my involvement in issues facing our communities. An example of that was last Thursday, when I hosted Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus and a group of 25 party activists and leaders, to talk about how we can improve our chances for future Republican successes in Washington State and across the country. Chairman Priebus is on a multi-city tour for his Growth & Opportunity Project to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the party in 2012, and get feedback from grassroots activists, donors and others to develop an action plan for the party through 2014.

I am excited to be involved with this project to help put the party on a path to improve our future prospects. You can read the Seattle Times coverage of our meetinghere, and for a national perspective, take a look here.

I look forward to continue keeping you apprised of my public policy and volunteer work as I continue my transition to the private sector. To help me make sure I am focusing on issues that matter to some of my strongest supporters, I hope you will take a moment and let me know your thoughts about a couple of tax-related issues being proposed in Olympia. Click here to take the three-question survey on my website.

Please remember to keep in touch by liking my Facebook page and following me on Twitter.

All the best,

Rob

Friends,

Last month I had the tremendous opportunity to join nearly 500 Republicans in Ocean Shores for the 4th annual Roanoke Conference. Roanoke is by far the most compelling Republican event we have in Washington state all year. This year’s was no exception!

What I like most about the conference is that it is positive, constructive and forward looking – with plenty of emphasis on policy solutions. I don’t have to tell you that last year’s election wasn’t what any of us had hoped for, but I talked with literally hundreds of upbeat party activists who are already pushing forward.

With record-breaking attendance and a large contingent of College Republicans and other young people, I’m more convinced than ever that our best days are ahead for our party in Washington State.

I’m already looking forward to next year’s conference which, if tradition holds, will be from January 24-26, 2014. Mark your calendars now so you don’t miss out – karaoke night alone is worth the cost of registration!

All my best,

Rob

PS – One of the more exciting developments at this year’s conference was the launch of the Northwest Republican Community Fund by Todd Myers. Marilyn and I were proud to be among the first to pledge our support of NWRCF , which is simply described as “A charitable matching fund that harnesses the power of conservative generosity by helping our neighbors move from dependence to self sufficiency.” Please check it out at http://www.nwrcf.org.

Thank you so much for everything you did to support Team McKenna, for the moral support you have offered Marilyn and me, and for all your work to set a New Direction for Washington.

This campaign is now over, but the work of improving our state continues. Thank you again for everything you’ve done – I won’t forget it.

-Rob