Working for you in Olympia!

Welcome to my webpage! I’m Shelly Short, your senator from Washington’s 7th Legislative District.

We live in one of the most spectacular parts of our country, a land of mountains, forests, farms, orchards, lakes and rivers. Our district covers a full fifth of the state, and our issues are different than those of Washington’s urban areas. We cherish our rural lifestyle and the freedom that comes with it. We’re interested in economic growth and prosperity, an affordable standard of living, improved services for rural areas, and greater employment and recreational opportunities for all of us living in this region. What works for Seattle often doesn’t work for us – and we need Olympia to know it.

This is the message I bring to the Capitol as your advocate in the state Senate. I have been honored to represent the 7th Legislative District since 2009. In the Senate, I serve as Republican floor leader, helping shape debate on everything from water to taxation, health care, education and affordable energy. I want to know what you think about the issues of importance to North Central and Northeastern Washington.

If you have a comment about the direction of state government, or you need help dealing with a state agency, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. You can reach me and my executive assistant, Shannon Whitmore, at (360) 786-7612, by email at Shelly.Short@leg.wa.gov, or by mail at the address you will find on this page. We are here to serve you – and we put that responsibility first.

Shelly Short

Senator, 7th Legislative District

Important note: Written communications are subject to disclosure under the Washington Public Records Act.

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News

March 30, 2026

2026 legislative session restores wildfire funding, offers successes for 7th District

7th District lawmakers, from left: Rep. Andrew Engell, R-Colville, Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, and Rep. Hunter Abell, R-Inchelium. OLYMPIA — In a 2026 legislative session overshadowed by passage of an income tax, area lawmakers scored key victories for North-Central and Northeastern Washington, including restoration of wildfire funding and legislation addressing the needs of the state’s...
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March 23, 2026

Income tax headed your way as Legislature ends 2026 session

Note: The following e-newsletter was distributed to Sen. Shelly Short’s subscribers March 23, 2026. To subscribe to Sen. Short’s e-newsletters, click here. This year’s 60-day legislative session started Jan. 12 and adjourned with the rap of gavels in the Senate and House on March 12. Above, Lt. Gov. Denny Heck ends the session in the...
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February 27, 2026

Effort to reduce wildfires a key issue for 2026 Legislature

Note: The following op-ed appeared in the Cheney Free Press and associated weeklies Feb. 26, 2026, and it has been updated to reflect the release of budget proposals in the state House and Senate. By Sen. Shelly Short [800 words] The state Department of Natural Resources may not own a crystal ball, but last year...
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February 24, 2026

Join us Thursday for a telephone town hall meeting!

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Shelly Short’s subscribers Feb. 24, 2026. To subscribe to Sen. Short’s e-newsletters, click here. Your 7th District delegation: With Rep. Hunter Abell, R-Inchelium (left) and Rep. Andrew Engell, R-Colville (center).   Dear Friends and Neighbors, I hope you will be able to join us Thursday for a...
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February 16, 2026

7th District lawmakers to hold telephone town hall meeting Feb. 26

Live from Olympia, Rep. Hunter Abell, Rep. Andrew Engell and Sen. Shelly Short. Telephone town hall is set for 6 p.m. Feb. 26.   As the 2026 legislative session enters its final weeks, lawmakers representing Washington’s 7th Legislative District will hold a telephone town hall meeting Feb. 26. The town hall will offer an update...
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February 09, 2026

Senate votes to relax costly energy mandate for Selkirk Schools

OLYMPIA – The Washington Senate voted last week to exempt the Selkirk School District and others like it from state energy code rules that could significantly increase the cost of school construction. Senate Bill 5941, sponsored by Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, relaxes a renewable energy requirement for small school districts in cold regions of the...
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E-newsletter Sign-Up

Stay informed on the issues that count to Northeast and North Central Washington! Click on the headline above to sign up for my periodic newsletters from Olympia.

I'm Here to Serve You

Please let me know if we can help in your dealings with a state agency, or if you have a general comment about state government. My office is here for you. Please don't hesitate to contact me via e-mail, phone or by mail. I look forward to hearing from you!

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