Even before Lisa Brown became state Senate majority leader, Spokane enjoyed influence in the state Legislature with Jim West, who served as majority leader until becoming Spokane's mayor in 2004.

Asked today if Spokane will lose power without Brown leading the Senate, Gov. Chris Gregoire was frank:

"I’d like to tell you no, but that would not be honest with you," she said. "Lisa as majority leader has to fight for the entire state, but at no time did she ever fail to advocate not just her own district but all of Spokane -- the greater Spokane. To her credit, she has brought home things that are exceedingly important.”

Gregoire called Brown's departure "a huge loss to Spokane."

To hear more about Gregoire's thoughts about Brown, listen to the interview posted above.

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