My staff and I are ready to assist you, so please contact us if you need assistance.
The 2024 legislative session is scheduled for 60 days and began on January 8. This session takes place following the completion of the 105-day session last year. The focus this year will include updates to the three state budgets (operating, transportation, and capital) for the 2023-2025 biennium. Please know that serving you and answering your questions about state government is very important to me and my office.
I’d like to take the time to introduce my staff, who will be working hard this year to help answer your questions and keep you connected with the state government. The legislative offices have some year-round employees, but additional staff are hired to assist with the high workload associated with the legislative session. My office works very hard to select the best people for my office staff because I view them as an important element of my public service to you.
Meet my legislative staff
The staff below understand my constituent customer service philosophy and will assist me with scheduling requests, bill tracking, media inquiries, virtual meetings, email responses, and phone calls. We value public service and the opportunity you provide us to serve you. Given the high volume of requests and communications we receive – and the research required for responses – it may take us time to get back to you, but we will be working very hard to ensure that not a single constituent inquiry goes unanswered. This may seem like a very ambitious goal, but it is the standard set for my office.
- Elizabeth Popoff, Legislative Assistant
Elizabeth was hired two years ago as my Legislative Assistant, having previously worked as my Legislative Session Aide. She works closely with me on all matters in the office, with constituents, and on legislative priorities. She and others will assist with meeting requests, constituent appointments, email responses, and other activities. Elizabeth is a native of the Wenatchee Valley and was a member of the 2019 Apple Blossom Festival Royal Court. She graduated from the University of Washington with a communications degree and from the University of Idaho with her Master of Public Administration degree. Her work experience includes RH2 Engineering, Cashmere Valley Bank, Fabulous Feet Dance Studio, and Lake Life Chelan.
- Emily Galde, Legislative Session Aide
Emily is returning to my office this year as my Legislative Session Aide, having worked in the same position last session. She graduated from Washington State University, completing her studies in Political Science and Pre-Law Program. Emily will be based in our Olympia office and assist with incoming correspondence, constituent visits, and capitol tours, among many other things. Emily is very passionate about state government and the judiciary branch. Her past work includes working for Lake Life Chelan in restaurant service and as a legal intern.
- Eric LaFontaine, Public Information Officer
Eric is a communications staff member assigned to me through the Senate Republican Caucus. He will work closely with me on all aspects of my communication efforts, including managing my website, editing my email newsletters, reviewing my guest opinion submittals, distributing news releases, coordinating local radio interviews, and responding to media requests. Eric graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in political science, earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Regis University, and served in the Navy Reserves. He worked in communications for the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and prior to that, he was the founder and publisher of various media organizations, magazines, and community newspapers.
- Ethan Jud, Legislative Intern
Ethan Jud is serving as my Legislative Intern this session. He spends a portion of each week completing a rigorous program with other interns from in-state universities. In addition to his intern program duties, Ethan will work each day for my office, tracking legislative priorities, meeting with constituents, responding to phone calls, and coordinating correspondence. Ethan is from Camas, Washington and attends Saint Martin’s University. He is a student-athlete at the university, where he studies Criminal Justice and plays on the soccer team.
Staying connected with us
My staff and I look forward to serving you again in 2024. Connecting us can include either in-person or remote meetings. We make extra efforts to meet your needs to ensure that our high standards for constituent customer service can be achieved. We can also help facilitate tours for local groups. I also frequently meet with constituents throughout the district during the session on weekends. If you have a group that would like to meet with me in your community during the session on a weekend, please contact us to be added to our in-district meeting request list.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve
It is my honor to serve as your state senator in Olympia. If you have any questions about this year’s legislative session or bills being considered, please call our Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000. To learn more about my legislative efforts on your behalf, please visit my website, senatorbradhawkins.org. Also, my office has been actively working to share information about my Facebook page. You can like and follow me on Facebook @SenatorBradHawkins for my latest updates.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your state senator.
Sen. Brad Hawkins serves as State Senator for the 12th Legislative District.
