Rep. Hinkle declines to seek re-election

MOSES LAKE - Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, announced he won't seek re-election to the Washington Legislature in 2012.

"I will finish my term as state representative and fulfill the important promise I made to 13th District residents," Hinkle stated in July. "My leadership experience in the Legislature - negotiating, reaching agreements and advocating for our communities - will be an asset for Kittitas County."

Hinkle, 54, was a Kittitas County commissioner from 1996 to 2002, stepping aside to run successfully for the Washington State House of Representatives nearly 10 years ago. He has represented the 13th District since then.

Hinkle said he decided to go public with his decision to avoid any confusion caused when his "good friend" Matthew Manweller filed to run with the state's Public Disclosure Commission.

"I didn't want people wondering if we were going to be running against each other," Hinkle said. "He's a sharp guy who will provide some diversity in the district."

Manweller, 41, is the Kittitas County GOP chairman and a Central Washington University political science professor. Since 2008 he's served on the Washington State Republican Party executive committee as well as the boards of several political and community organizations.