Rep. Drew MacEwen assumes Stokesbary’s previous role as an Assistant Floor Leader
Washington State House Republicans elected Rep. J.T. Wilcox to be their Leader today. He replaces Rep. Dan Kristiansen, who stepped down as Leader on Tuesday and announced he would not run for re-election in November.
“I love this caucus. These are the greatest people I’ve ever worked with. To be elected Leader by my peers is an honor. I feel like I’ve got a big job to do,” said Wilcox, R-Yelm. “I continue to believe we have the biggest tent when it comes to ideology and points of view at the Capitol. I think this is a major reason why we’ve been so successful in a blue state – including this legislative session.”
Wilcox was first elected state representative of the 2nd Legislative District in 2010. Prior to being elected Leader, he served as Floor Leader and sat on the House Appropriations, Finance and Rules committees.
Wilcox is a graduate of Washington State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in history. In the 2000s, he served as Chief Operating Officer and then Chief Financial Officer of Wilcox Farms.
Wilcox grew up on his family farm in rural Pierce County, where he still lives today with his wife Kathy. They have three children and one granddaughter.
In other House Republican Leadership changes, Rep. Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn, was elected to replace Wilcox as Floor Leader. Stokesbary was previously an Assistant Floor Leader.
Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union, was elected to replace Stokesbary.
The House Republican Leadership Team is as follows (*new changes):
| *Rep. J.T. Wilcox | 2nd Legislative District (Yelm) | Leader |
| Rep. Joel Kretz | 7th Legislative District (Wauconda) | Deputy Leader |
| Rep. Matt Shea | 4th Legislative District (Spokane Valley) | Caucus Chair |
| Rep. Joe Schmick | 9th Legislative District (Colfax) | Caucus Vice Chair |
| *Rep. Drew Stokesbary | 31st Legislative District (Auburn) | Floor Leader |
| *Rep. Drew MacEwen | 35th Legislative District (Union) | Assistant Floor Leader |
| Rep. Joyce McDonald | 25th Legislative District (Puyallup) | Assistant Floor Leader |
| Rep. Dave Hayes | 10th Legislative District (Camano Island) | Whip |
| Rep. Dan Griffey | 35th Legislative District (Allyn) | Assistant Whip |
| Rep. Bill Jenkin | 16th Legislative District (Prosser) | Assistant Whip |
| Rep. Vicki Kraft | 17th Legislative District (Vancouver) | Assistant Whip |
There are 48 Republicans in the 98-member Washington State House of Representatives. Learn more at:
- https://houserepublicans.wa.gov/
- https://www.facebook.com/wahouserepublicans
- https://twitter.com/wahousegop/
The 2018 legislative session will end tonight.