Washington House Democrats elect leadership team for 2023 session
Tacoma Democrat Laurie Jinkins was re-elected for a third time to her position as Speaker of the Washington state House during a caucus reorganization meeting on Monday.
House Democrats elected seven leaders during the meeting, including Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon of West Seattle, who will replace Rep. Pat Sullivan as House Majority Leader. Sullivan stepped down from his position as a legislator in October to join the governor’s office as the Senior Policy Advisor for Labor.
Fitzgibbon has represented the 34th district since 2011, and has been chair of the House Environment and Energy Committee since 2015.
Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self of Mukilteo, who was first appointed to her seat in the Legislature in 2014, was elected as the Majority Caucus Chair. Rep. Monica Stonier of Vancouver, will be Majority Floor Leader while Rep. Alex Ramel of Bellingham was elected Majority Whip.
Twelve new caucus members also were welcomed to the House Democrats, who managed to hold onto their majority status after the Nov. 8 general election. The Democrats now hold 58 out of the 98 seats.
“The people of Washington have again chosen Democrats to lead in our state Legislature, and our caucus is ready to get to work on their behalf,” said Jinkins in a press release. “I want to thank my colleagues for their continued trust and confidence in me. More than ever, our caucus is reflective of the many diverse communities that make up this great state, and that ultimately makes the work we do better.”
All House Representatives, including Republicans, will still vote for the Speaker of the House when the Legislature reconvenes on Jan. 9.
