Washington House of Representatives
As well as presiding over the body, the Speaker is also the chief leadership position and controls the flow of legislation.The Speaker of the House during the first session of the 65th legislature (2019) was Democrat Frank Chopp (D-Seattle) of the 43rd Legislative District.He stepped down at the end of the session and John Lovick (D-Mill Creek) of the 44th Legislative District served as speaker pro tempore until the second session, when Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) was elected speaker.The Republican Minority Leader is Drew Stokesbary (R-Auburn) of the 31st Legislative District.[3] The first women elected were Frances Cleveland Axtell[5] and Nena Jolidon Croake[6] in 1912.