Washington State Senate
The Washington State Senate is the upper house of the Washington State Legislature. The body consists of 49 Senators, respresenting an equal number of districts across the state, each with a population of nearly 120,000. The State Senate meets at the Legislative Building in Olympia.
As with the lower House of Representatives, State Senators serve without term limits, though with a four year term. Also similar to the House, members to the State Senate are elected from the same legislative districts as House members, however one Senator represents the constituency, while for the House there are two Representatives per district.
Like other upper houses of state and territorial legislatures and the federal U.S. Senate, the State Senate can confirm or reject gubernatorial appointments to the state cabinet, commissions and boards.
Leadership of the Senate
The Lieutenant Governor of Washington serves as the President of the Senate, but only casts a vote if required to break a tie. In his or her absence, the President Pro Tempore presides over the Senate. The President Pro Tempore is elected by the majority party caucus followed by confirmation of the entire Senate through a Senate Resolution. The President Pro Tempore is the chief leadership position in the Senate. The other Senate Majority and Minority leaders are elected by their respective party caucuses.
The President of the Senate is Washington Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen. The President Pro Tempore is Democrat Rosa Franklin of the 29th Legislative District (Lakewood). The Majority Leader is Democrat Lisa Brown of the 3rd Legislative District (Spokane). The Minority Leader is Republican Mike Hewitt of the 16th Legislative District (Walla Walla).
Make-up of the Senate
| Affiliation | Members | |
| Template:American politics/party colours/Democratic| | Democratic Party | 26 (53.1% Majority) |
| Template:American politics/party colours/Republican| | Republican Party | 23 (46.9% Minority) |
| Total |
49 | |
| Government Majority |
3 | |
Current Members of the Senate (2005-2006, 59th Legislature)
Unofficial Future Make-up of the Senate
| Affiliation | Members | |
| Template:American politics/party colours/Democratic| | Democratic Party | 32 (65.3% Majority) |
| Template:American politics/party colours/Republican| | Republican Party | 17 (34.7% Minority) |
| Total |
49 | |
| Government Majority |
15 | |
