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Elections

Now it’s Sen. Shelly Short, vacant GOP senate seat filled

Erin Fenner   January 30, 2017  

Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy. (Courtesy Shelly Short office.)

Republican Shelly Short, of Addy, will fill the vacant seat of Sen. Brian Dansel, R-Republic, who left the Washington Senate for a job with the Trump administration.

Short has been a member of the House, representing the 7th District and on three committees: Environment, Health Care & Wellness and Rules.

Dansel took on a position as a special assistant to the Secretary of Agriculture, and announced his resignation from the state Senate Tuesday.

Dansel’s resignation caused a temporary 24-24 tie in the Senate. But with Short’s appointment, Republicans again hold a one-person majority. Democrats pushed on Friday to change floor rules, but were voted down via Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib, who declined to side with Democrats, according to a report from The News Tribune.

Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, said in a statement, he was glad to see Short join the Senate and that the 7th District commissioners who voted for her appointment did so unanimously.

“She has been serving in the House as Republican caucus chair and is highly respected by her colleagues,” he said in a statement. “She’ll be a big asset to our majority on energy, environment and regulatory issues and her presence will definitely contribute to our strength in the Senate.”

The Washington State GOP party announced the appointment via Twitter:

Short’s office has not responded to comment.

Erin Fenner: erin@washingtonstatewire.com, @erinfenner

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