State Sen. Andy Hill gives a floor speech on the opening day of the 2015 legislative session. (Photo courtesy Washington State Archives)

Washington’s legislative community and many others around the state were saddened by the news that state Sen.  Andy Hill died Monday after a reoccurring battle with lung cancer. Hill, R-Redmond, served the Eastside’s 45th Legislative District, winning the seat in 2010 and earning re-election in 2014. Hill, who worked at Microsoft before joining the Legislature, had been the chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee for several years.

Secretary of State Kim Wyman said Hill will be missed by many.

“We lost one of our true leaders. He taught us all so much about being a statesman, being a dad and being a friend. We were blessed to have known you, Andy.”

Hill was midway through his current Senate term. Under the state constitution, his seat will be filled temporarily by another Republican through an appointment process. That appointee will serve through 2017, when a special election will be held, with the winner serving the remainder of Hill’s term through 2018.