State House Republicans elect leadership team

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 16, 2012

CONTACT: Lisa Fenton, Communications Director, cell (360) 789-6064

Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7252

State House Republicans elect leadership team

Leadership members are elected to serve two-year terms

At a caucus reorganization meeting today, House Republicans in the Washington statehouse elected their leadership team. After each election cycle, House Republican members meet to elect leadership team members and discuss their legislative agenda.

Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis, was re-elected to serve as the House Republican leader. In this role, he is the primary spokesperson for House Republican members and is responsible for the coordination and management of the caucus agenda in the Legislature.

“I am incredibly honored to be re-elected to serve as the House Republican leader,” DeBolt said. “We have a dedicated and talented group of legislators that want the best for the people of our state. I look forward to working with returning members and the new additions to our team to put forward solutions to get Washington working again.”

The remaining leadership team members and their roles include:

Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, was re-elected deputy House Republican leader. The duties of deputy leader include developing policy, determining priorities for the caucus and leading constituent and media outreach efforts.

Rep. Dan Kristiansen, R-Snohomish, was re-elected House Republican caucus chair. The main duties of caucus chair include helping set legislative priorities for the caucus as well as presiding over caucus meetings when bills, amendments, voting and other legislative matters are discussed.

Rep. J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, was newly elected to serve as House Republican floor leader. The floor leader is responsible for developing and implementing strategies for floor debate as well as creating plans to move forward legislative policies supported by the caucus.

Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, was re-elected and Rep. Liz Pike, R-Camas, was newly elected serve as assistant floor leaders. They are responsible for assisting the floor leader in his duties and implementing floor strategies during debate.

Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, was newly elected to serve as caucus whip. Along with assisting with leadership and caucus activities, the whip serves as a “sergeant at arms,” ensuring caucus work is carried out in an orderly fashion and maintaining decorum during caucus meetings.

Each member of the leadership team plays a key role in creating plans to adopt policies supported by the House Republican Caucus. The positions of assistant whip and assistant caucus chair are appointed at a later date.

The 2013 legislative session is scheduled to begin Jan. 14.

For more information, visit our Web site at: houserepublicans.wa.gov.

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