House Dems re-elect Chopp speaker

OLYMPIA — House Democrats had their numbers shaved in this month’s election but voted today to stick with most of last session’s leadership.

Seattle Rep. Frank Chopp was re-elected speaker, a position he has held by himself since 2002, and shared as co-speaker in 1999, 2000 and 2001 when the House was tied between Democrats and Republicans.

Rep. Pat Sullivan of Covington was re-elected majority leader, Eric Pettigrew of Seattle  majority caucus chairman and Kevin Van De Wege of Sequim  majority whip. Kris Lytton of Anacortes was elected majority floor leader to replace Tami Green, who gave up her seat to run unsuccessfully for the state Senate this year. Lytton was formerly an assistant floor leader.