Journalist Robert McClure honored for legislative oversight

WashCOG board member and journalist Robert McClure received the James Andersen Award for his work making WashCOG more visible, more effective and better connected in Olympia. The award was presented at WashCOG’s annual Sunshine Breakfast in March 2025.

As chair of WashCOG’s Government Committee, McClure has ensured WashCOG tracks legislation of concern and interest, alerting others interested in open government issues.

McClure has worked with lobbyists and coordinated WashCOG’s efforts with other transparency advocates, building a “digital posse” of constituents to speak up on issues of importance at the state legislature in Olympia.

The Andersen Award is given annually to an individual or organization that has done something extraordinary to advance the efforts of the Washington Coalition for Open Government.

It is named for the former Chief Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court, who served from 1992 until his retirement in 1995. Andersen was a founding member of the WashCOG board of directors and the first recipient of its James Madison Award.