After 21 years in WA Legislature, a moderate Democrat calls it quits

Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard

April 20, 2026 / 3:06 pm

caption: In this file photo, Democratic Rep. Larry Springer watches the electronic vote board during a vote on an amendment to a bill that changes the funding source for the state's charter schools, Wednesday, March 9, 2016, in Olympia, Wash. Springer was one of just 10 Democrats in the Democratic-controlled House to support the measure that seeks to save the schools, which have been in limbo since the state Supreme Court ruled in September that the charter school system is unconstitutional.

Democratic state Rep. Larry Springer of Kirkland, who provided a moderating voice in his caucus for two decades, announced Sunday he will not seek re-election.

Springer, 79, was elected in 2004 to the Washington Legislature and has served as deputy majority leader since 2014. He spent a decade on the Kirkland City Council prior to winning his seat in the 45th Legislative District in suburban King County.

He said in a statement that when he entered legislative office, he made a promise “to work hard, listen closely, and never stop fighting for the families and small businesses that make our communities strong. I am proud of what I have accomplished over these many years, and grateful for the partnerships and friendships made along the way.”

Throughout his tenure, Springer has been a moderate known for seeking common ground with Republicans on contentious policy matters. But increasingly, he’s taken heat for his centrist approach from progressive Democrats who view it as too conservative.

He fought off an intraparty challenge in 2024. This year, two Democrats are already campaigning to unseat him.

“Tough problems take time and perseverance. I’ve never believed in quick fixes or political theater,” he said in a statement. “I saw my role as being a voice for both cooperation and common sense.

“I am grateful that my colleagues trusted me to do both from a leadership position, helping shape legislation and always doing so with positive outcomes in mind, not political posturing,” he continued.

Among his top achievements, Springer cited passage of landmark legislation in 2021, which pledged $500 million over eight years to the state Department of Natural Resources for wildfire preparedness and response.

In the course of 11 terms, he backed policies to expand affordable housing, increase early childhood education and strengthen firearm safety rules. This past session, he surprised some when he voted to approve an income tax on households that earn more than a million dollars a year.

“The work that matters, funding our schools, protecting reproductive rights, addressing the affordable housing crisis, keeping our communities safe, requires showing up session after session and doing the unglamorous work of governing,” he said.

At an event in Bellevue in March, Springer said the past two sessions were “two of the most difficult” since he was elected because of the back-to-back budget shortfalls.

The House Democratic caucus struggled at times because so few members had ever dealt with a deficit, let alone gaps in successive years. “We were woefully unprepared for how contentious the internal debates” would be, he said.

Springer’s announcement comes weeks after another veteran Democratic lawmaker, Rep. Timm Ormsby of Spokane, announced he’ll retire at the end of his term in January. Ormsby, who represents the 3rd Legislative District, is chair of the House Appropriations Committee.

More than a dozen current members of the House are either retiring or running for another office in November.

This story was originally published by the Washington State Standard.