OLYMPIA — Lawmakers representing the 26th Legislative District were sworn in Jan. 12 as the 2015 Legislative session began.
State Reps. Michelle Caldier (R-Port Orchard) and Jesse Young (R-Gig Harbor) will represent the 26th District in the House of Representatives, while Sen. Jan Angel (R-Port Orchard) is in the Senate.
The 26th District includes portions of Pierce and Kitsap counties.
This is Caldier’s first time in the House, while Young has a year under his belt. He was appointed in December 2013 to replace Angel who won the district’s Senate seat a month earlier.
“The ceremony was a proud moment for me, but humbling at the same time,” Caldier said. “To stand in the House chamber and sit where so many great leaders have made laws for our state is awe-inspiring. I’m thrilled to get started serving my constituents.”
Caldier and Griffey swore to “uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, the Constitution and laws of the State of Washington, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the office of a Washington State Representative to the best of my ability.”
Caldier said she takes the oath and her responsibilities as a state representative seriously.
“These aren’t just words — I will follow them with how I act,” she said.
Caldier will serve on three House committees: Education, General Government and Information Technology, and Health Care and Wellness. She said the committee assignments reflect her strengths as well as her goals for the 105-day session.
“Education will be and should be our top priority as a state,” Caldier said. “The General Government and Information Technology Committee considers issues dealing with making state agencies more efficient and responsive, and that’s something I believe we can constantly improve upon.
“Being a dentist and caring for the most vulnerable population, the Health Care and Wellness Committee was a perfect fit and I look forward to bringing my perspective to the Legislature,” Caldier said.
Young said he was grateful for this opportunity to serve and honored to be a voice for the people of the 26th Legislative District.
“We have a lot of work to do, and I am excited to work on the issues facing our state, including getting our economy going by fostering job growth, passing a balanced, sustainable budget without raising taxes, and properly funding education.”
Young will serve on the following committees: Transportation, Technology and Economic Development, and Rules.
“I am grateful to the House Republican Caucus leadership for entrusting me with this responsibility,” Young said. “I look forward to leveraging my private sector experience in Olympia and am eager to continue working with my colleagues across the aisle to bring hard work, fiscal responsibility, and opportunity to those who need and desire it.”
Angel representing 26thDistrict for fourth term
Angel was sworn in for a fourth term after being re-elected as senator for the 26th District.
“I am very honored and humbled to get back to work for families, small businesses, veterans and hard-working taxpayers in the 26th District,” Angel said. “Last year, I was excited about the progress we made to put education funding first and pass meaningful help for families struggling with homelessness. I’m ready to keep us moving forward this year.”
Angel is vice-chair of the Majority Coalition Caucus in the Senate, a coalition of Republicans and Democrats formed around principles of fiscal responsibility and good government. She also serves on the Financial Institutions and Insurance, Trade and Economic Development and Health Care committees.
She previously served three terms in the House of Representatives. She is a former Kitsap County commissioner, serving eight years. Angel owned a business for nine years with approximately 54 employees in Pierce and Kitsap counties, and was a Realtor in Kitsap County for seven years.
Griffey sworn into office
State Rep. Dan Griffey (R-Allyn) will represent the 35th District for the first time. Griffey defeated incumbent Kathy Haigh in November.
The 35th District consists of a portion of Kitsap, all of Mason and part of Thurston counties.
He was selected as the assistant ranking member on the House Local Government Committee, and also will serve as a member of the House Education and Public Safety committees. In addition to his other duties, he has been appointed to a leadership position as assistant whip.
As a firefighter for more than 27 years, Griffey said he has a passion for serving his community and looks forward to representing his constituents in the Legislature.
“I am excited to begin this journey, and I am very appreciative for the opportunity to serve the folks in the 35th District,” Griffey said. “I want them to know that I am here for them, they are my boss and I will work for them every single day.”
He said he’s passionate about protecting the private property rights of those in the 35th District.
“I want this office to always be an advocate for the personal property owner’s right to own, develop and occupy his or her property,” Griffey said. “I truly believe that the bigger the government, the smaller the individual. Runaway government does not serve the people, which is why I will be a consistent voice in the Legislature advocating for limited, but effective government.”
He also said the Legislature should work together to fund education first during the legislative session.
State Rep. Drew MacEwen (R-Union) was sworn in to represent the 35th District for a second term.
He will serve as the ranking member on the newly formed General Government and Information Technology Committee and serve on the Appropriation Committee, which writes the biennial operating budget for the state.
“I am grateful to House Republican Caucus leaders for entrusting me with this responsibility in just my second term,” MacEwen said. “I look forward to working towards a sustainable operating budget that prioritizes state spending and does not raise taxes.”
