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Peter Callaghan is a local columnist. He’s covered the statehouse and state politics since 1981. Before joining The News Tribune in 1985, the Stadium High grad worked for newspapers in Everett and Lewiston, Idaho, and for The Associated Press in Olympia and Seattle. Email Peter

Joe Turner has covered state government and transportation issues since 1990. Since the Bellarmine grad’s arrival in the newsroom in 1978, he’s covered police, suburban cities, Tacoma City Hall, Federal Way City Hall and the Pierce and King county governments. Email Joe

David Wickert covers Pierce County government. Before coming to The News Tribune in 1998, he covered local government for newspapers in Illinois, Virginia and Tennessee. Email David

Ian Demsky is a general assignment reporter who specializes in database-driven reporting. He's been at the News Tribune since 2007 and has previously worked in Nashville, Tenn. and Portland, Ore. When he's not at work, he enjoys hiking and science fiction. Email Ian
Les Blumenthal has been covering Washington, D.C. for The News Tribune since 1990, focusing on issues and politicians involving the state. Before joining The News Tribune, he spent 13 years working for The Associated Press in Seattle, Illinois and Washington, D.C. Email Les

John Henrikson is a local news editor who oversees political coverage. He's worked as a journalist in the Northwest for 19 years, supervising coverage and reporting on local and state government, the environment and growth. Email John

Local politics links
Brad Shannon's The Politics Blog (The Olympian)
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P-I's Strange Bedfellows (Seattle PI)
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Let's talk politics.
Monday, January 5th, 2009
Posted by Joe Turner @ 08:34:10 am

The Walla Walla newspaper reported the death on its Web site. You can read that story below.

Bill Grant, as caucus chairman for majority Democrats, also was the 3rd ranking member of the House. He was diagnosed with lung cancer only a month ago and was hospitalized with pneumonia last week.

Grant, 71, was first elected in 1986.

Here's the story in the Walla Walla Union Bulletin.

House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, notified members in an e-mail this morning, and sent a follow-up message later.

Dear Friends,
I have very, very sad news. Yesterday, we lost Bill Grant. His illness abruptly turned to the worse.
Please pray for his family. We will miss him so much.
As soon as we know the details, we will convey the announcement of his memorial service.
Frank

Statement from Speaker Frank Chopp on the death of Representative Bill Grant, long-time Chair of the House Democratic Caucus:
“I am very saddened by the loss of Bill Grant, and my thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Nancy, and his children and grandchildren.

“Bill was one-of-a-kind. He was a man of the land, and he brought his farmer’s values of community, hard work and perseverance to the House of Representatives where he served for 22 years. Throughout his career, everyone who met him appreciated his honesty, generosity, and wonderful sense of humor.

“I was proud to call Bill my colleague and grateful to call him my friend. He will be deeply missed.”

Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, was from the opposite political party, but he and Grant were seatmates.

Sen. Mike Hewitt’s statement regarding the passing of Rep. Bill Grant

Senate Republican Leader and 16th District legislator Mike Hewitt issued this statement today regarding the passing Sunday morning of his seatmate Representative Bill Grant:

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Bill Grant. As my House seatmate, Bill was someone I could work closely with on issues that helped the people of the 16th District. As my friend, Bill was someone I could count on personally. Bill was a true statesman and represented our district very well, especially in the area of agriculture. My thoughts and prayers, as well as those of the members of my caucus, are with Bill’s family today. He will be sorely missed.”