OLYMPIA — Steve O’Ban has been sworn in as the newest Republican member of the Washington state Senate.
O’Ban was sworn in to office on Wednesday after the Pierce County Council on Tuesday chose him to serve out the remainder of the term of the late Sen. Mike Carrell, who died last week from complications related to his treatment for a blood condition.
O’Ban was elected to the state House in November.
Carrell died last Wednesday at a Seattle hospital. He suffered from myelodysplastic syndrome, also known as pre-leukemia. With his death, the Senate was in a tie, with 24 Democrats and 24 members of the Majority Coalition Caucus, which comprises 23 Republicans and two Democrats. O’Ban’s appointment regains the majority for the Majority Coalition.
