Rep. Hans Dunshee is the new lead Democratic budget writer in the House and will take over as chair of the Appropriations Committee, House Democrats announced Monday.
He replaces Ross Hunter, who recently left the Legislature to head up the state Dept. of Early Learning.
Dunshee previously chaired the House Capital Budget Committee, which crafts the state’s construction budget. The Snohomish Democrat is a former small business owner and volunteer firefighter who has served a little over 20 years in the Legislature.
Dunshee’s budget-writing counterpart in the Senate is Republican Sen. Andy Hill, who said earlier this month he will not run for governor in 2016.
Hunter’s seat has yet to be filled. King County Democrats last week selected lawyer Patty Kuderer, Redmond City Councilwoman Kim Allen and real estate broker Santiago Ramos as nominees to fill the vacancy. The final choice will be made by the Metropolitan King County Council.