About Peter Abbarno

Peter Abbarno is a small business owner and attorney with Althauser Rayan Abbarno, LLP, Representative for the Washington State 20th legislative district; but most importantly, Peter is a husband and father. Peter lives in Centralia with his wife Holly (Hawes), a math teacher at Centralia Middle School, and their two children Sophia (5th grade) and Antonio (3nd grade).

In 2020, Peter ran for State Representative in the 20th Legislative District to fill a vacancy by long-time legislator Richard DeBolt and won the seat with over 71% of the vote. Peter serves at the Assistant Ranking Member on the House Capital Budget Committee, and serves on the Environment and Energy Committee and Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee. Peter was also appointed by the Speaker of the House to the Office of Civil Legal Aid Oversight Committee and Statute Law Committee. 

Peter is deeply involved in our community. In 2012, Peter was named one of the top 20 professionals under the age of 40 in Lewis County. In 2015, Peter was successfully elected to the Centralia City Council, re-elected to the Centralia City Council in 2019, and voted Mayor Pro Tem in 2020. 

In 2018 and 2020, readers of the Daily Chronicle voted Peter as the “Best Volunteer” in Lewis County..

In 2019, Peter received the “Economic Development Leadership Award” from the Lewis County Economic Development Council, received the “Human Rights Award” from the Church Women United organization, and was voted the “Best Elected Official” in Lewis County, an honor he has been nominated for the past three years.

In 2020, Peter was honored to be named the “Person of the Year” by the Daily Chronicle editorial board and elected to the Washington State House of Representatives, garnering 71% of the vote in the 20th legislative district. 

Peter graduated from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science; earned a Juris Doctor from Vermont Law School in 2008; and earned a Masters of Law in Taxation from the University of Washington in 2009.

In 2010, Peter joined Olson Althauser Samuelson & Rayan, LLP, currently known as Althauser Rayan Abbarno, LLP. He became partner in 2013. Althauser Rayan Abbarno currently has offices in Centralia and Olympia. 

Prior to becoming an attorney, Peter volunteered, organized, and managed political campaigns, including being the Media and Policy Coordinator with the New York State Assembly Republican Caucus, Executive Director with the Vermont Republican Party, and Executive Director with the Washington State Republican Party.  After law school, Peter served as a Deputy Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in King County and staff attorney with the University of Washington Tax Clinic before joining Althauser Rayan Abbarno. 

Peter practices many areas of law throughout his career; including Estate Planning, Business/Corporate Law, Family Law, Criminal Prosecution, Workers’ Compensation, as well as Personal Injury.

Peter also volunteers time to assist victims of domestic violence and assaults, non-profits, and new entrepreneurs with business formation and business planning.

Peter is a board member and past president of the Centralia College Foundation, past president of the Lewis County Bar Association and past president of Lewis County Bar Legal Aid, active board member with the Lewis Economic Development Council, host of the AM1470 KELA “Let’s Talk About It” show, volunteers with WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students)in Centralia and the Hub City Mission, and also serves as a Mentor at WF West High School in Chehalis and as a Mentor for the Morton High School Mock Trial Team.

Peter and his wife Holly coach many local sports including Centralia Little League Baseball, Centralia Youth Soccer, Centralia Parks and Recreation Basketball, and started and still coordinate the Centralia School Supply Drive to support families and students in the Centralia School District.