State Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, will once again preside over House floor debate in Olympia when the speaker of the House is unable to do so.
The House reelected Orwall, nominated by the Democrats, during the Legislature’s opening ceremonies Jan. 9 as speaker pro tempore.
“I am privileged and deeply honored to have been selected by my fellow lawmakers for this important office,” Orwall said in a House Democrats news release. “I am grateful for their support and confidence, and I pledge to work for everyone in this chamber as hard as every one of my colleagues works for the people of our state.”
Orwall’s 33rd Legislative District includes SeaTac and Normandy Park and parts of Kent, Des Moines and Burien. She has represented the 33rd district since 2009.
Orwall is no stranger to the gavel. She has been speaker pro tempore since 2020. Previously, she served as deputy speaker pro tem from 2011 to 2016, then alternated duties with now Sen. John Lovick from 2017 to 2019.
The speaker pro tempore presides over sessions of the House as needed when the speaker of the house is unable to do so. In this capacity, the speaker pro tem keeps the process running smoothly when lawmakers are carrying out the business of the people of Washington as they debate and vote on legislation on the House floor. State Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, is the speaker of the house.
“I believe every session presents challenges and 2023 won’t be an exception,” Orwall said. “The next three-and-a-half months may not be the easiest, but I trust that, by focusing on our shared goals over the next few weeks, we will deliver the results to continue making Washington the best place to live, work and play.”
In addition to her duties as speaker pro tempore, this year Orwall will serve on the Health Care & Wellness, the Capital Budget, the Regulated Substances & Gaming, and the Rules committees.
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