Rep. Bergquist’s Biography

Steve is a public school teacher, union member and small business owner from Renton. He is a proud fourth-generation resident of the 11th District. Steve graduated from Hazen High School in Renton, when he also served as a page in the Senate for Sen. Margarita Prentice.

He went to UW for his bachelor’s degree in political science and history, then to Western for his master’s degree in education and social studies. His wife, Avanti, is a faculty physician at the UW and Seattle Children’s Hospital.

He coaches tennis and golf, and, when programs faced elimination from school district budget cuts, he led an effort that raised more than $100,000 over six years to keep programs alive. Through a public-private partnership with the City of Renton, Steve also offers tennis programs to the local community, with thousands of people learning the sport. He also hosts Renton River Days tennis tournament, which attracts hundreds of participants every year.

Steve co-founded the Seattle Serves non-profit and has rallied hundreds of students to volunteer efforts that include Habitat for Humanity, the Ronald McDonald House, the Renton Salvation Army Food Bank and their annual Toy and Joy, and Thanksgiving Adopt-a-Family drives.