This week Governor Inslee announced the appointment of a new chief of staff. Inslee named senior advisor Joby Shimomura as his new chief of staff.

Shimomura is a longtime aide of the Governor’s who has served on the governor’s executive team since January. She is a veteran Congressional staffer and campaign manager, working as Inslee’s Congressional chief of staff for six years and managing several of his campaigns.

Shimomura replaces Mary Alice Heuschel who has served in this role since January. Heuschel will lead state efforts on an interm basis to implement the Governor’s accountability framework “Results Washington”.

In other news, Senator Ed Murray resigned his position as Senate Democratic Leader.  Murray successfully won election as the Mayor of Seattle this week. Murray cited the need to focus on the transition of becoming mayor. However, he plans to remain in the Legislature through the special session, setting a date later for resignation from the Legislature.

Senator David Frockt will take over as interim leader of the Senate Democratic caucus.