That would be Republican lawmaker Dan Newhouse of Sunnyside. He’s Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire’s pick for state ag director.  Crossing the political aisle for a top cabinet appointment is pretty unusual for a governor, but the early buzz about Newhouse was that it was an excellent move by Gregoire and that Newhouse will easily be confirmed by the state Senate. 

Newhouse, who operates a farm and orchards, has been considered a rising GOP star. He’s the son of the late Sen. Irv Newhouse, for whom the Senate Republican office building is named.  Dan Newhouse, now in his fourth term, is the Republican floor leader in the House and has been touted as a potential successor to Congressman Doc Hastings.

The state Elections Division says Newhouse’s House successor will be chosen this way: Republican precinct committee officers from throughout the sprawling 15th District will chose a ranked-order list of three favorites and the county commissioners from Yakima, Klickitat, Skamania and Clark will pick an appointee to send to Olympia post-haste…

Typical protocol is for the commissioners to choose the top choice of the grassroots leaders, but no law requires it. If the commissioners deadlock, the governor will pick from the Top 3 list.  The seat will be up for election this fall. If more than two candidates file during Filing Week, a Top 2 Primary will be held in August. The final vote is in November for the year remaining on Newhouse’s unexpired term.

Newhouse’s surprise departure is the third multi-county House vacancy since the November election — very unusual. Reps. Bill Grant, D-Walla Walla, and Steve Hailey, R-Mesa, died. Former Rep. Don Cox has been sworn in to replaced Hailey; the Grant successor has not been selected.