Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, issued the following statement today regarding his decision to remain chairman of the Senate's Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance Committee:
"Let me first say that I am still and always will be a Democrat. My decision to remain chairman of the committee I have chaired the last two years was not based at all on politics, it was based on the decision that I believe I am the best qualified and most experienced person available for this task.
“This decision does not mean I have aligned myself with or promised anything to the Republican Majority. I will vote as I always have – with the best interests of the 44th District in mind and not to accommodate any political party or organization. The people who sent me here are the only people I am beholden to.
“We have serious work to do in Olympia and a short time available in which to do it. I hope that all sides can put politics aside, at least for 105 days, and get to work on the issues that face Washingtonians.”