Rep. Hinkle resigns legislative office; Manweller may be sworn by end of November
State Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, who chose not to run for re-election, submitted his letter of resignation to Gov. Chris Gregoire on Oct. 5, with an effective date of yesterday, Nov. 8.
A former paramedic and firefighter, Hinkle has served the 13th Legislative District since 2002. Prior to being elected to state office, he served as a Kittitas County commissioner for six years.
In his resignation letter to the governor, Hinkle noted that he has accepted new employment. Hinkle was recently chosen as executive director of the Rental Housing Association of Puget Sound, an organization that represents rental property owners in western Washington.
Hinkle’s final term in office was set to expire Jan. 14, the first day of the 2013 legislative session. On Tuesday, voters elected Central Washington University political science professor Matt Manweller as Hinkle’s successor. Manweller, R-Ellensburg, is expected to be sworn into office when lawmakers return to Olympia for Committee Assembly, Nov. 29 – 30, assuming election results are certified by then.
Hinkle’s legislative office in Olympia is being temporarily staffed during the transition. Constituents may call that office at (360) 786-7808 or Rep. Judy Warnick’s office in Moses Lake at (509) 766-6505.
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For more information, contact Lisa Fenton, Communications Director: (360) 786-7728
