Jim McDermott: key obituary facts
Is Jim McDermott dead? Yes. Jim McDermott died on November 12, 2026, at age 89.
Cause of death: Jim McDermott's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Jim McDermott known for?
He was an U.S. congressman.
More about Jim McDermott
Born: 28 December 1936.
Place of birth: Chicago.
Gender: male.
Occupation: politician, military officer, psychiatrist.
Nationality: United States.
Education: Wheaton College, University of Illinois Chicago, Downers Grove North High School, University of Illinois College of Medicine.
Also known as: James Adelbert McDermott.
Jim McDermott, an American politician who represented Washington’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S.
House from 1989 to 2017, died November 12, 2026, aged 89. He was born James Adelbert McDermott in Chicago on December 28, 1936, and later became a psychiatrist as well as a Democratic lawmaker.
The first member of his family to attend college, he graduated from Wheaton College before earning a medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1963. He completed an internship at Buffalo General Hospital the following year. McDermott entered electoral politics in 1970, winning a seat in the Washington state legislature representing the 43rd District. In 1972, he sought the governorship but lost the Democratic primary to former Gov. Albert Rosellini. In Congress, he served on the House Ways and Means Committee and was part of the House Progressive Caucus. He also served as chairman of the House Ethics Committee and, beginning in 1995, as its ranking minority member. His district included most of Seattle and several nearby communities. McDermott announced in January 2016 that he would not seek another term, concluding his congressional service the following year. He died in Seattle.