No surprises in the House leadership lineup for 2007:

-House Speaker Frank Chopp*, D-Seattle
-Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam
-Caucus Chairman Bill Grant, D-Walla Walla
-Majority Whip Sharon Tomiko Santos, D-Seattle
-and Speaker pro-tem John Lovick*, D-Mill Creek.

Chopp has been speaker (or, during three bizarre years of a legislative tie between Democrats and Republicans, "co-Speaker"), since January 1999. Kessler and Grant have held their caucus jobs for eight years as well.

If you watch TVW, you're more likely to see Lovick holding the gavel than Chopp. Chopp's more of a behind-the-scenes air-traffic-controller, working out deals on bills and deciding what moves and what doesn't.

*Note: The speaker and speaker pro-tem are actually chosen by the full House of Representatives on the first day of session (Jan. 8). But no serious challenge is expected.

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