Senate Democrats choose new leadership

State Senate Democrats voted to retain much of their leadership core from last session when they met over the weekend in Sea-Tac.

Sen. Lisa Brown (D-Spokane) will return as majority leader and reiterated that the economy would top the agenda in the state Senate this next session.

"Clearly, the top concern for people of the state is the economy," said Brown. "In the next session, we're going to focus on jobs and the financial security of hardworking families and Washington's communities."

Sen. Tracy Eide (D-Federal Way), who has served as the majority floor leader since 2005, will also remain in her post.

The one change in Democratic leadership came because of the retirement of Sen. Harriet Spanel (D-Bellingham), who left open the seat of his party's caucus chair. Sen. Ed Murray (D-Seattle) was elected to replace her. Murray’s election as the Senate’s number two member gives his 43rd district an impressive amount of clout, with the added benefit of also being the district that sends House Speaker Frank Chopp to Olympia.

Senate Democrats will retain a large majority next session, but it will likely be one seat smaller than last time, and with very little turnover. They appear to have lost Sen. Marilyn Rasmussen’s seat in the 2nd Legislative District and will welcome in two newcomers, Senator-elect Fred Jarrett (D-Mercer Island), the former Republican state Representative who replaces retiring Sen. Brian Weinstein’s (D-Mercer Island), while Senator-elect Kevin Ranker (D-San Juan Island) will replace Spanel.

As for staffing news, Tom Hoemann, the former trial lawyer lobbyist and longtime Democratic staffer, will remain secretary of the Senate.