Grant’s daughter to take his seat
State representative died last month
WALLA WALLA – The late state Rep. Bill Grant, a rare Democrat representing Eastern Washington, will be replaced for the remainder of 2009 by one of his four children.
Commissioners from Walla Walla, Columbia, Benton and Franklin counties met Friday in Walla Walla and chose Laura Grant-Herriot, Grant’s daughter, to replace him as a state representative in the 16th District.
The 71-year-old Grant died Jan. 4, just one month after being diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer.
Grant-Herriot was chosen on a 6-5 vote, with Pasco lawyer George Fearing a close second, according to Walla Walla Commissioner Gregg Loney.
Grant-Herriot was sworn in after the vote and will serve the remainder of this year. She must be elected in November if she wishes to complete her father’s term, which runs through 2010.
Grant-Herriot is a teacher and once served as an elected member of the Prescott School Board.
She told the Tri-City Herald her application for the seat was a family decision because the family wanted to see the seat held by a Democrat who embodied her late father’s values.
“As a Democrat, my dad felt it was very important that a Democrat retain the seat just to have the best possible representation for the 16th District,” she said.
Grant-Herriot said life with her father, including helping with his campaigns for 20 years, gives her a solid background for taking up his mantle.
“I am going to Olympia with a huge support system,” she said.
She said she plans to arrive in Olympia on Monday.
The 11 commissioners who made the selection all are Republicans.