Washington state House Democrats chose their committee chairs at a meeting in Olympia today, assigning leadership for twenty-five different committees.

"We have a terrific team of chairs," said Majority Leader Lynn Kessler (D-Hoquiam).  "They are experienced and excited, and ready to take on the challenges of the upcoming session."

Notably, the race for the powerful appropriations committee chair, which was well documented this fall between rival Representatives Kelli Linville (D-Bellingham) and Hans Dunshee (D-Snohomish), went to Linville. Dunshee, who had been vice chair, was given the helm of the capital budget committee.

The appropriations committee was then re-named and is now called "ways and means."

See the full list as presented by the House Democrats below.

Agriculture and Natural Resources:  Brian Blake (Aberdeen)

Audit Review and Oversight:  Mark Miloscia (Federal Way)

Capital Budget:  Hans Dunshee (Snohomish)

Commerce and Labor:  Steve Conway (Tacoma)

Community and Economic Development and Trade:  Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney (Seattle)

Early Learning and Children's Services:  Ruth Kagi (Lake Forest Park)

Ecology and Parks:  Dave Upthegrove (Des Moines)

Education:  Dave Quall (Mount Vernon)

Education Appropriations:  Kathy Haigh (Shelton)

Environmental Health:  Tom Campbell (Roy)

Finance:  Ross Hunter (Medina)

Financial Institutions and Insurance: Steve Kirby (Tacoma)

General Government Appropriations: Jeannie Darneille (Tacoma)

Health and Human Services Appropriations: Eric Pettigrew (Seattle)

Health Care and Wellness:  Eileen Cody (Seattle)

Higher Education:  Deb Wallace (Vancouver)

Human Services:  Mary Lou Dickerson (Seattle)

Judiciary:  Jamie Pedersen (Seattle)

Local Government and Housing:  Geoff Simpson (Covington)

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness: Christopher Hurst (Enumclaw)

Rules:  Frank Chopp (Seattle)

State Government and Tribal Affairs:  Sam Hunt (Olympia)

Technology, Energy and Communications: John McCoy (Tulalip)

Transportation:  Judy Clibborn (Mercer Island)

Ways and Means:  Kelli Linville (Bellingham)

Additionally, two vice chairs were also selected:

Ways and Means:  Mark Ericks (Bothell)

Capital Budget:  Timm Ormsby (Spokane)