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Several Members Set to Retire in 2008

Although the official news of Rep. Helen Sommers decision to not seek another term in the state House rightly dominated much of the end of session press coverage, a number of other legislators have decided to call it a day at the end of their current terms.  Here’s the current list of those state elected officials who will not return in 2009 so far:

Statewide Elected Officials

Mike Murphy, State Treasurer who will retire.

Senate

  • Harriet Spanel (D-Bellingham) who serves as the Majority Caucus Chair who will retire.
  • Brian Weinstein (D-Mercer Island), chair of the Senate Consumer Protection and Housing committee (some press reports have indicated Weinstein is reconsidering his pre-session decision to not run for re-election).

House of Representatives

  • Rep. Helen Sommers (D-Seattle), chair of the House Appropriations committee who will retire.
  • Rep. Bill Fromhold (D-Vancouver) chair of the House Capital Budget committee who will work for the MAP program.
  • Rep. Pat Lantz (D-Gig Harbor) chair of the House Judiciary committee who will retire.
  • Rep. Shay Schual-Berke (D-Normandy Park), vice chair of the House Capital Budget committee who is moving to New Zealand with her husband.
  • Rep. Joyce McDonald (R-Puyallup), ranking minority member on the House Capital Budget committee who will run for a seat on the Pierce County Council.
  • Rep. Jim McIntire (D-Seattle) who is running for State Treasurer.
  • Rep. Lynn Schindler (R-Spokane), House Republican Whip who will retire.
  • Rep. Bill Eickmeyer (D-Belfair) who will retire.
  • Rep. Bob Sump (R-Republic) ranking minority member on the House Ecology and Parks committee who will retire.