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Sharon Shewmake will be first Democrat to represent 42nd District in Senate in two decades FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Dec. 9, 2022 At a ceremony in Bellingham, Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) was sworn into office today by Judge Cecily Hazelrigg with family, friends, and supporters looking on. Shewmake replaces Republican Sen. Simon Sefzik in the Senate, who was appointed to replace Sen. Doug Ericksen after Ericksen’s death in late 2021. Shewmake defeated Sefzik in the 2022 election, and was sworn in to fulfill the final weeks of what would have been Ericksen’s term, followed by a full four-year term starting ...

OLYMPIA – Sen. Derek Stanford (D-Bothell) has been chosen to chair the Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade Committee in the 2023 legislative session. “Our state has the strongest economy in the country and has been recognized as one of the best places both to do business and to be a worker,” said Stanford. “I’m honored my colleagues have chosen me to lead our efforts to build on that success.” Gaming, an issue area added to the committee’s bailiwick this year, has been the topic of legislation in recent years to legalize and regulate sports wagering. The committee ...

OLYMPIA – Sen. Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes) was unanimously selected by her peers in the Senate Democratic Caucus to chair the newly formed Senate Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs Committee in the 2023 legislative session.

“I’m honored to assume this new position,” said Lovelett. “Since I began public service, I have been proud to prioritize collaboration between all levels of government on the issues most pressing to our communities, and I look forward to continuing that work as a committee chair.”

Olympia– Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest) was selected by her Senate colleagues to serve as Senate Majority Caucus Whip during the 2023 session. “I am both humbled and enthusiastic to have been selected by my peers to serve in this position,” said Nobles. “From the start of my tenure in the Senate, I’ve stressed the importance of transparency in my office. I’ve valued so deeply the ability for community to be civically engaged and understand the nuances of the Legislature in order to make changes in the issues they care about. I’m elated to be able to further this ...

Olympia– Sen. Joe Nguyen (D-White Center) was selected by the Senate Democratic Caucus to chair the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee in the 2023 legislative session. “Washington is a renowned environmental leader powered by a robust technology sector and an innovative energy industry,” said Nguyen. “The conversations in this committee aren’t just about our state’s immediate needs, but also about the infrastructure we are building for an equitable future. I’m deeply honored to assume this position, not just as a representative of our community, but as a parent.”

OLYMPIA – The Senate Democratic Caucus today voted to confirm committee membership and leadership positions for the 2023 Legislative session. “Our majority caucus continues to become a more accurate reflection of the people we represent,” Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig said. “Lawmaking is most effective with diverse voices and perspectives at the table. Our caucus, like our state, includes people of many different backgrounds, ages, and lived experiences. Those experiences and diverse opinions result in better policies and ensure that we are working to make progress for everyone in Washington state. “We’re excited and humbled to enter our sixth ...

Olympia – A report on car tab payment options is available to the public now. The Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) received legislative direction to convene a Vehicle Registration Payment Options Workgroup to analyze payment options for vehicle fees and publish a report. “I appreciate the approach we took to analyze this issue,” said Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), who spearheaded the effort during the 2020 legislative session in response to requests from her community. “We used surveys and focus groups to center community members and hear from those directly affected.” The JTC contracted with BERK Consulting to study the ...

A recently published Washington State report found a significant gap in homeownership among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color compared to their white community members. The report is a culmination of many months of findings from the Homeownership Disparities Work Group, which was funded by the Legislature in 2021. State Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Tacoma) was among the lawmakers advocating for the funding.

After a 13-year-old boy died in a fatal biking accident amid an uptick in traffic fatalities, State Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest) hosted fellow transportation leaders for an advocate roundtable as part of a listening tour on improving road safety. On July 19, Michael Weilert had entered the crosswalk near Pacific Avenue and 134th Street South after activating the crosswalk signal, but a motorist failed to yield to the signal.