Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, responded to news today that his 4th Legislative District seatmate, Rep. Larry Crouse, will resign from the Washington State House of Representatives on Dec. 31 due to family health concerns.

“I’ve known Larry for a long time,” said Padden. “I recruited him back in 1994 to run for the House, because he has always been a solid conservative, a man of deep character and a true representative of the people of the Spokane Valley. That was him in 1994, and that is him today.”

Crouse is currently the longest-serving Republican member of the House of Representatives, and according to Padden, will leave big shoes to fill.

“Representative Crouse has been a tireless worker for the Fourth District and for the people of Washington state. He is truly one of those great public servants who works behind the scenes to make things happen and get things done without worrying about who gets the credit. That is a quality that we all wish we could see in more of our elected officials today.

“I couldn’t have been more proud to call him a colleague, an ally in the fight for conservative principles and a friend. I will miss fighting alongside Larry in Olympia, but he has always known to put family first, as he’s doing now.”