Although 2007 was not a general election year, the beginning of the 2008 legislative session brings seven new legislators to Olympia – one new state Senator and six new state Representatives.
Here is a brief summary of the new political faces in Olympia for 2008.
Sen. Curtis King (R-Yakima) from the 14th district who defeated incumbent Jim Clements in the August Republican primary and won election in November. King is a former General Electric official who also ran a commercial cabinet company in Union Gap. King is a graduate of the University of Washington.
Rep. Sharon Nelson (D-Maury Island) from the 34th legislative district who replaces Joe McDermott who was appointed to the state Senate to complete the unexpired term of Erik Poulsen who resigned earlier this fall. Nelson is chief of staff to King County Councilmember Dow Constantine and a graduate of Whitman College.
Rep. Joe Schmick (R-Colfax) from the 9th legislative district who replaces David Buri who resigned this fall to become director of government relations for Eastern Washington University. Schmick is a farmer and small-business owner and a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
Rep. Liz Loomis (D-Snohomish) from the 44th legislative district who replaces Jon Lovick who was recently elected Snohomish County Sheriff. Loomis has been a member of the Snohomish City Council and mayor of the town. She also operated a public affairs firm that worked with local businesses.
Rep. Marko Liias (D-Mukilteo) from the 21st legislative district who replaces Brian Sullivan who was recently elected to the Snohomish County Council. Liias previously served on the Mukilteo City Council and is finishing work on his M.P.A. at the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington.
Rep. Jamie Herrera (R-Ridgefield) from the 18th legislative district who replaces Richard Curtis who resigned earlier this fall. Herrera is a former legislative assistant for Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers and also served as an intern for state Senator Joe Zarelli. She is a graduate of the University of Washington.
Rep. Norma Smith (R-Whidbey Island) from the 10th legislative district who replaces Chris Strow who resigned in December to take a job with the Puget Sound Regional Council. Smith served as a special assistant to former Congressman Jack Metcalf and a former South Whidbey School Board member.