News / Northwest

Former Washington House Republican leader Rep. J.T. Wilcox will not seek re-electionFree

By Jerry Cornfield, Washington State Standard

Published: March 1, 2024, 5:49pm

State Rep. J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, seen here as the House of Representatives convenes for floor debate, Jan. 22, 2024. Wilcox, who has been elected to seven terms in the 2nd Legislative District, said he would not seek reelection in 2024. (Legislative Support Services)

State Rep. J.T. Wilcox, who led the House Republican Caucus for five years, announced Wednesday he will not seek re-election this fall.

“By the end of this term, I will have spent 14 years serving in the Washington State House of Representatives. That’s enough,” Wilcox said in a statement.

Wilcox, of Yelm, was first elected to the House in 2010 and was re-elected six times. He serves the 2nd Legislative District that encompasses parts of Thurston and Pierce counties.

He spent six years as floor leader for his caucus before becoming House minority leader in 2018.

In his tenure, Wilcox dealt with the effects of a pandemic and a shrinking caucus due in part to political headwinds fueled by former president Donald Trump who tarnished the Republican brand with suburban Washington voters.

Along the way, he also had to wrestle with internal strife stirred by a few strong personalities such as former representative Matt Shea of Spokane Valley, who was accused in a House-sanctioned investigation of engaging in an act of domestic terrorism.

Wilcox stepped down as leader on the last day of the 2023 session, handing the reins to Rep. Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn

On Wednesday, asked to identify a lasting achievement, Wilcox said the “high point” is the quality of new and veteran talent in the current caucus.

“It isn’t as big as I wanted,” he said. “But it’s the most serious group of individuals. It is the best Republican caucus in a blue or purple state.

Wilcox, in his written statement, did lament the cascading effect of eroding bipartisanship on the institution.

“Some political activists are more concerned about theatrics in politics and less concerned about results,” he wrote. “Every elected official knows there are ‘performances’ that can earn you popularity, but those make it harder to really fix things. This is why the federal government is such a mess, and one of the reasons our state government is becoming less functional.”

Also Wednesday, Orting Mayor Josh Penner declared he will run for the seat. Wilcox has endorsed him.

The Washington State Standard is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet that provides original reporting, analysis and commentary on Washington state government and politics. We seek to keep you informed about Washington’s most pressing issues, the decisions elected leaders are making, how they are spending tax dollars and who is influencing public policy.

Related Stories