OLYMPIA — Senate Democrats in Washington state have chosen a new leader for their caucus.
The caucus on Wednesday selected Sen. Sharon Nelson, D-Maury Island, as the upper chamber’s minority party leader. She replaces Sen. Ed Murray, who was elected mayor of Seattle.
Murray had already previously resigned his role as leader of the Senate Democrats following his mayoral election earlier this month. On Tuesday, he officially resigned from the Senate, effective Dec. 31. He takes office in Seattle on Jan. 1.
Sen. David Frockt, D-Seattle, had been the interim leader until Nelson’s election by the caucus. Nelson was part of budget negotiations earlier this year between Senate Democrats and the predominantly-Republican Majority Coalition Caucus.
