SEQUIM — Paul Conner, an orphan who grew to serve as a popular state legislator on the North Olympic Peninsula for 35 years, has died.
Mr. Conner, 82, died Sunday of complications from pneumonia, his daughter-in-law, Christy Conner, said Monday.
Mr. Conner, a Democrat, first was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1957 and peaked in the late 1970s when he served as House majority whip, House caucus chairman and chairman of the House Transportation Committee.
During his 18 years in the lower house, Mr. Conner was in the forefront of the successful battle to remove tolls on the Hood Canal Bridge.
He also steered legislation authorizing year-round state ferry service between Port Townsend and Keystone, and helped draft a $29 million salmon enhancement program.
