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Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Washington Legislature. Austin Jenkins is the Olympia correspondent for the Northwest News Network. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) weekly public affairs program "Inside Olympia."

Washington State Senator Not Taking A Job With Trump Administration

Austin Jenkins
/
NW News Network
Washington state Sen. Doug Ericksen speaks with reporters on Monday. He said he is not taking a job with the Trump administration and plans to run for re-election.

Washington state Sen. Doug Ericksen said he’s not taking a job with the Trump administration and plans to run for re-election.

The Whatcom County Republican spoke Monday following reports that he’d been appointed to a post at the Environmental Protection Agency.

“There have been offers from the Trump administration,” Ericksen said. “I decided not to.”

Ericksen would not comment specifically on whether he recently turned down an offer to join the EPA. Previously Ericksen worked on President Trump’s Washington state campaign and served in a transition role with the EPA.

Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy, as well as the Washington State Legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia."