Washington became the 42nd state in the Union on November 11, 1889. The state’s first two senators, John Allen and Watson Squire, took office on November 19, 1889. Washington’s longest-serving senators include Warren G. Magnuson (1944-1981) and Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson (1953-1983). Among those who rose to leadership positions are Wesley Jones, who served as Republican Party whip; Warren G. Magnuson, who served as Senate president pro tempore; and Patty Murray, who served as chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Democratic Conference secretary, and currently serves as assistant Democratic leader.
