New WA House Speaker Is Pierce County Rep. Jinkins

TACOMA, WA — Longtime Tacoma state Rep. Laurie Jinkins was picked by state Democrats on Wednesday to be the new House Speaker — and the first woman to ever hold the job.

Jinkins will replace outgoing Seattle Rep. Frank Chopp, who controlled the House for about 18 years. She represents the 27th Legislative District, which covers most of Tacoma, plus parts of Midland and Fern Hill.

Jinkins, who is openly gay, was first elected to the House in 2010. Before that, she worked as a lawyer in the state Attorney General's office, and as a member of the Tacoma Community College Board of Trustees.

She was among a slate of four women picked as finalists to replace Chopp. The other three candidates were Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver; Rep. Gael Tarleton, D-Seattle; and Rep. June Robbins, D-Evereett.