In this monring's Morning Fizz, we asked this question: Who's been the most effective Republican in Olympia this session?  And not in the bipartisan kinda way, but in the: Stood-up-for- the-GOP-agenda-and-was-actually-successful-despite-the-lopsided-numbers-that-favor-the-Democrats kinda way.

Ryan Morden, Deputy Olympia Correspondent for NPR, asked the question at today's Republican press availability. 

[audio:http://www.seattlemet.com/data/publicola-assets/mosteffectivegop1.mp3]

Morden was speaking with Republican Senate leader, Sen. Mike Hewitt (R-16, Walla Walla), and Republican House leader, Richard DeBolt (R-20, Centralia, Chehalis, Lacey, Olympia). 

Sen. Hewitt name checked: Sen. Janea Holmquist (R-13, Moses Lake) an ideologue and, in my opinion, the leading contender; Joe Zarelli (R-18, Castle Rock, La Center, Battle Ground), certainly a conservative Republican, but more measured; and Rep. Gary Alexander (R-20, Pe Ell, Tumwater, Mineral), a rural social conservative. None of these apparent GOP stars are in caucus leadership positions.

Rep. DeBolt demurred, and simply hyped his whole caucus, especially, the freshman.