OLYMPIA — Mike Hope’s trek to the Legislature ended Monday, four years and three elections after it began.
Just past noon, the smiling Lake Stevens Republican strode into the chamber of the House of Representatives and down the carpeted center aisle to his seat.
When his name was called, he stood and joined 94 other members in taking their oath of office for the 2009 session.
And his first vote was an “aye” to approve the rules that will govern the legislative process for the next 105 days.
Many of the days will be grueling and tense as legislators wrestle with spending cuts needed to erase a record-shattering shortfall projected for the next budget.
But Hope spent Monday simply trying to soak in the moment as Snohomish County’s newest state representative.
“It’s becoming more real,” he said. “It’s definitely exciting because it’s taken me four years to get here.”
Hope ran for state office in 2004 and 2006, losing both times to Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish.
In November, he unseated Democratic Rep. Liz Loomis in the 44th Legislative District, winning by a mere 138 votes following a hand recount of all the ballots cast.
Monday morning he was setting up his office on the fourth floor of the John L. O’Brien building.
On a shelf was a six-pack of Diet Coke and a bunch of bananas. He placed a picture of his grandfather on the window sill. Then he hung a framed football jersey bearing the name “Intimidatr” — no O, there wasn’t enough space — given to him by his legislative aide and campaign manager, Blair Anderson.
“That’s what the Democrats were calling me on the blogs in the campaign,” he said. “It’s just for fun.”
The work ahead won’t be fun.
State legislators are looking to plug a $5.7 billion gap in its next budget. References to the fiscal challenges were made time and again in Monday’s pomp-filled opening day.
In his address, House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, made clear those in the Democratic majority are going to draw up a different blueprint for cutting government spending than Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire.
While he didn’t mention her proposed budget, he warned against slashing money for schools, medical care and services for the poor.
“We will keep our promise that all our children will have health care,” he said, a specific mention to a goal to cover all children by 2010 that could not be met under Gregoire’s proposal.
“We have to be very careful this year not to let a budget problem rob us of our vision and values,” Chopp said. “Values are what guide us when we have to make difficult decisions.”
House Minority Leader Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis, said legislators cannot make promises, then break them, or they risk alienating the public.
“Sometimes ideals are fantastic. Sometimes real solutions are necessary. This is a time for real solutions,” he said.
Some goals can’t be given up yet, Hope said.
“We need to fully fund education,” he said, emphasizing that he wants to try to give teachers a pay raise and maintain money for smaller class sizes.
Gregoire wants to save nearly $1 billion in spending by nixing the wage hikes and reducing the amount of money for keeping class sizes small.
For the most part, Hope didn’t talk policy Monday. He was mostly busy accepting congratulations and advice.
“I was telling him to enjoy the day,” said Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, who will be sitting next to Hope this session. “Not everybody in the state of Washington is afforded the opportunity.”
Coincidentally, Pearson reached the Legislature the same way as Hope. First he lost to Dunshee, in 1992, then came back and defeated Loomis in 2000 to win in the 39th Legislative District.
“I know he worked hard to get here,” Pearson said.
Dunshee said despite their two tough election campaigns, he’s ready to work with the county’s newest legislator on behalf of the voters.
“Once you’re done with elections, you leave that behind you and you focus on working for the district and the state,” Dunshee said.
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