The 2023 legislative session is underway, and the Senate Republican Caucus recently held internal elections for caucus leadership positions and finalized assignments to standing committees. State Sen. Ron Muzzall was re-elected as the vice-chair of the caucus.

Muzzall is tasked with helping preside at internal meetings of the caucus and coordinating committee activities as a liaison between leadership and committee chairs. Before being elected as vice caucus chair, Muzzall served as the deputy whip for the Senate Republicans.

“It is an honor to have earned my colleagues’ trust to help our caucus work effectively for the state of Washington,” said Muzzall, R-Oak-Harbor. “Over the past two years serving as vice chair, I think my fellow senators have seen a real value from me in this leadership position. It is a great honor for me personally, and a benefit to the communities in the 10th Legislative District.”

In addition, Muzzall’s committee assignments have changed, adding more responsibility to his plate and a greater voice for agricultural interests in the district. Muzzall will serve as the ranking Republican on the Senate’s Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee.

He will continue on the Senate’s Health and Long Term Care Committee, but now as the assistant ranking member. He also will serve on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, which handles budget and taxation issues. Muzzall also retains his position on the influential Senate Rules Committee, which controls which bills come to the floor for a vote by the entire Senate.

“This session, I’ve opted to take on a fair deal of extra responsibilities for our district and the caucus,” Muzzall added. “As a farmer, I’ve never been afraid of hard work and with all of the critical issues facing our state, I’m excited to engage even more in the legislative process.”

Muzzall is a fourth-generation farmer on Whidbey Island. A graduate of Washington State University, he has been involved in numerous industry associations, county boards and committees, including the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Skagit Farmers Supply and Land O’Lakes cooperatives.

He served with North Whidbey Fire and Rescue for 20 years and as a fire commissioner for 11 years. Muzzall and his family own and operate a family farm, marketing their local products in the community. A lifelong member of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, he served multiple terms on the church council and as council pesident.

The Legislature convened on Jan. 9 and will work for a total of 105 days to pass the state’s two-year operating budget and other legislation before its scheduled adjournment on April 23.