Hewitt re-elected Senate Republican Leader

Other leadership posts filled

November 30, 2006

OLYMPIA…The Senate Republican Caucus today re-elected Sen. Mike Hewitt as Senate Republican leader. Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, has served the caucus in that role for the past year.

“It’s been a pleasure to serve the Senate Republican caucus as leader over the last year, and I am honored that my colleagues have asked me to continue serving in that role,” Hewitt said. “The Legislature has some major things to tackle next session – among them, solutions to our health care crisis, new ideas for education, and our proposal to pass a constitutional rainy day fund. I look forward to working with legislators on both sides of the aisle to get these things accomplished for the people of Washington.”

As leader, Hewitt represents the caucus to the public, the media, other caucuses and organizations; establishes and implements general legislative policies and priorities reflecting the views of the caucus; and serves as ranking Republican member on the Senate Rules Committee.

Hewitt was elected to the Senate in 2000 and re-elected in 2004. In addition to serving as leader, he has also served as Republican whip (2004); majority whip (2003-04); assistant whip (2001-02); and ranking majority member on the Capital Budget Committee (2003-04). Hewitt is the former executive director of the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce and former chairman of the Walla Walla Planning Commission. He owned and operated a small business for 23 years.

Senate Republicans also elected other members of their leadership team during their customary reorganization meeting following the recent election and prior to the 2007 legislative session. Others elected to leadership are:

  • Caucus Chair – Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee. In this role, Parlette will call the caucus into session; set the agenda for and preside over caucus meetings; serve on the Facilities and Operations Committee; and represent the caucus on operational matters.
  • Floor Leader – Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville. As Republican floor leader, Schoesler will coordinate the SRC’s Senate floor action; sit on the Senate Rules Committee; and represent the caucus on procedural matters.
  • Whip – Sen. Dale Brandland, R-Whatcom County. Among other duties, Brandland will act as a point of contact for the location of members during floor sessions and count votes on critical legislation.
  • Deputy Leader – Sen. Cheryl Pflug, R-Maple Valley. Pflug will assist the leader in developing and communicating the SRC’s legislative goals, policies, issues and priorities.
  • Caucus Vice Chair – Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester. Swecker will assist the caucus chair, preside over caucus meetings in her absence, and act as a liaison between committee chairs/ranking members and caucus leadership.
  • Deputy Floor Leader – Sen. Mike Carrell, R-Lakewood. In this role, Carrell will assist the floor leader in his duties, as well as assist the floor leader and whip in coordinating procedural votes with members.
  • Deputy Whip – Sen. Jerome Delvin, R-Richland. Delvin will act as backup to the whip and monitor attendance during floor sessions and caucus meetings.

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    For interviews contact Rebecca Japhet at (360) 786-7516; cell (360) 239-0517 or Japhet.Rebecca@leg.wa.gov