Former Senate majority leader dies

WALLA WALLA – Former state Senate Majority Leader Jeannette Hayner has died at the age of 91.

The Walla Walla Republican served in the state House of Representatives from 1973-1977 and in the state Senate from 1977 until her retirement in 1992.

Hayner was the first woman to serve as Senate majority leader. In a news release, Secretary of State Sam Reed called her “a fearless, clear-headed legislator who represented her constituents admirably and brought civility and creativity to the Capitol. She showed us that people with very different political philosophies can find common ground and move the state forward.”

Senate Republican leader Mike Hewitt said Hayner died Friday.