From the front lines to the front row: Washington State Representative Joshua Penner ’09 leads with purpose

Joshua Penner ’09 never set out to build a political career. But the call to serve kept showing up—and each time, he answered. Today, he represents the 31st Legislative District as a Republican in the Washington State House of Representatives, building on more than 16 years of public service rooted in perseverance, humility and deep commitment to community.

His path to elected office started modestly, following his service in the United States Marine Corps and deployment to Iraq. Transitioning to civilian life came with challenges, but Penner found an unexpected anchor in Saint Martin’s University. “It was the institution that offered night classes at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, making it possible for me to transition from war to the classroom,” he says. “It worked with my GI Bill^®. It welcomed me back into community.”

Saint Martin’s offered more than a degree. It offered a sense of belonging during a time of great change. As a first-generation college student, returning veteran and young father, Penner wasn’t just looking for an education but was starting the next chapter of his life. “Saint Martin's wasn’t just a place to learn,” he says. “It was a torch lighting the path forward.” 

While he later earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership and management, Penner traces the foundation of his leadership to Saint Martin’s. “What made Saint Martin's distinct was its ability to infuse leadership into culture—making it a shared consciousness rather than a class topic.” That framework became essential as he began to see opportunities to serve his community in local government. 

His political journey started with a short-term city council appointment in the City of Orting. He didn’t win that first race, but the experience clarified his motivations. “I realized I genuinely wanted to help my community move forward,” he recalls. He joined the planning commission, was elected to city council, became mayor and later won a seat in the Washington State House of Representatives. 

From addressing neighborhood traffic concerns to advocating for stronger support systems for Washington’s most vulnerable residents, Penner’s approach to public service has remained consistent: show up, work hard and bring others along. “The problems I’ve worked on aren’t easy. But when a community aligns—residents, colleagues, experts—it can move mountains.” 

He’s also candid about the realities of public service. “Everything that matters takes longer than you think,” he says. “Public service demands more than ideas—it demands endurance.” 

That mindset extends to how he balances service, work and family life. Penner sees them not as separate spheres, but as an integrated whole. “Even in quiet moments—watching a sunset or a family movie night—part of my mind is working through systems change and long-term solutions for people like my kids.”

His advice to today’s Saint Martin’s students and alumni is simple and direct: “Don’t waste time wondering how you got there or who deserves what more,” he says. “You’re there—so engage. Be part of the solution.”

For Representative Joshua Penner, Saint Martin’s University was not just a steppingstone, but a source of light during a critical period of transition. Today, he carries that light forward, leading with conviction, humility and a dedication to the common good. 

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GI Bill^® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website: https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.