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Senator Janéa Holmquist Newbry was first elected to the Senate in 2006, after serving 3 terms as the 13th District’s state representative. At 31, she became the youngest female state senator elected in Washington history.
Janéa is a strong advocate for employers and their workers, and is a recipient of NFIB’s Guardian of Small Business Award, the Association of General Contractors Legislator of the Year award, and the Business Institute of Washington’s Business Star Award. She currently serves as chair of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, and has accepted the additional responsibility of many other leadership assignments.
Having served the people of the 13th District in the Legislature for nearly 12 years, Janéa’s emphasis remains on improving the business climate, promoting quality education, ensuring access to quality and affordable health care, decreasing crime, promoting job development, protecting property and water rights, promoting alternative energy and requiring fiscal accountability. Janéa is committed to protecting you, your wallet and your rights!
She has a proven track record of voting against new taxes and fees and is a outspoken fighter for the rights of taxpayers — a fact that was recognized when she was the only elected official invited to address the inaugural Tax Day Tea Party in April of 2009.
Janéa was one of the sponsors of Initiative 1053, which restored key provisions of the Taxpayer Protection Act and received nearly 64 percent of the vote statewide. As pointed out by Lt. Governor Brad Owen, she has used the various provisions of the Taxpayer Protection Act to defeat taxes on the floor of the Senate more than any other legislator.
Janéa balances her strong fiscal conservative record with a committment to caring for our state’s elderly, children, those with developmental disbilities and our most veulnerable citizens.
This committment is a reflection of the small town values she grew up with. Janéa was raised in the Eastern Washington communities of George and Colville, and grew up on family farms, raising horses, cattle and hay. She currently resides in Grant County with her husband Matt and their newborn son Makaio.
More About Janéa
Standing Committees: Chair, Senate Commerce and Labor Committee; Member, Senate Trade & Economic Development Committee.
Additional Leadership Assignments: Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee; Joint Legislative Task Force on Family Leave Insurance; Joint Legislative Task Force on Basic Education Finance; Joint Legislative Task Force on the Underground Economy in the Construction Industry; Joint Legislative Task Force on the HVAC/R Industry; Joint Legislative Task Force on the Aerospace Industry; Joint Select Committee on Beer & Wine Regulation; Select Committee on Pension Policy; Joint Transportation Committee – Freight Mobility Group; Co-Chair, Governor’s Prayer Breakfast.
Education: Gonzaga University, B.A. in political science and sociology.
Awards & Recognitions: National Federation of Independent Businesses’ 2010 Guardian of Small Business award and Outstanding Legislator for 2009-2010 award, the Washington State Potato Commission 2010 Legislator of the Year, the 2009 Association of General Contractors Legislator of the Year, named a 2009 Legislative Hero by the Washington Restaurant Association, and received the 2009 Business Star Award from the Business Institute of Washington.
