From creating a framework for Uber and other ridesharing companies, to helping Washingtonians testify in cases remotely, to making crowdfunding a potential source of funding for the state’s entrepreneurs, Cyrus has been a pioneer in Washington on issues regarding technology and innovation. He has also worked to champion legislation that supports education, voting rights and cancer research. The Washington Post named the Rhodes, Truman and Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow one of the “40 Under 40 Political Rising Stars”. He is only 34.
Cyrus is also a three-time cancer survivor. He lost his eyesight to the disease when he was eight.
But Cyrus was by no means the only candidate in the race with a different perspective. He faced Phillip Yin, a Republican, journalist, and the child of Chinese immigrants; Jim Moeller, an openly gay state representative; Karen Fraser, who would have been the first woman to hold the office; and Javier Figueroa, a Republican who is a naturalized citizen from Mexico.
Reflecting on the field ahead of the August 2nd primary, Cyrus told NBC News, “It’s definitely more diversity than we’ve seen historically in the statewide races, but I think that what we’re really seeing is our policy beginning to reflect society a little bit better. We have a long way to go.”
Cyrus also stood out in the election for his comments on the role of the lieutenant governor in Washington. Traditionally, the job of lieutenant governor has been to oversee the senate and to serve as governor when the governor is not available or out of the state. It has not been a political role. However, one piece of the lieutenant governor’s role is that they must sign all legislation before the governor does. Cyrus said that if a bill’s constitutionality was called into question, and he found merit to the argument against the bill, he would withhold his signature.
Cyrus graduated from Columbia University in 2003, where he double-majored in Middle East Studies and English and Comparative Literature. He then attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, obtaining an MLitt in Postcolonial English Literature. In 2009, Cyrus graduated from Yale Law School with the support of The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans. Following law school, Cyrus worked for Perkins Coie, where he specialized on startups and technology companies. ∎
