Senator-elect Cyrus Habib (D-48th District) has been named to the key leadership position of Whip by his fellow Senate Democrats. The position, which is responsible for party discipline and strategy, is considered one of the top leadership positions in the Senate.

“The position of Whip is one of supreme trust and I’m honored to have the confidence of my esteemed colleagues in the state Senate,” Habib said.

Earlier this year, the Washington Post named Habib to its list of “40 Rising Stars,” and Governing Magazine named him “one of 12 State Legislators to watch nationally.”

Habib lost his eyesight to cancer at a young age, but went on to become a Rhode Scholar, Yale Law School graduate, attorney at Perkins Coie, and law professor at Seattle University. His district includes Bellevue, Medina, Clyde Hill, Hunts Point and Yarrow Point, Kirkland and Redmond.