State Senator
About The Race
Legislators are paid $42,106 annually, plus healthcare benefits. House terms are two years.
The Candidates
Mark Schoesler
- Party:
- Republican
- Age:
- 67
- City:
- Ritzville, Washington
Education: Graduated from Ritzville High School in 1975. Earned an agriculture business degree from Spokane Community College in 1977.
Work experience: Worked at Federal Crop Insurance until 1978. Farmer and rancher since 1978.
Political experience: Elected to the Senate in 2004, 2008, and 2016. Serves as House minority leader.
Family: Married to wife Ginger Schoesler and has two children.
Campaign fundraising: $315, 444 as of Monday, according to the Public Disclosure Commission. Top donations include $3,500 from Building Owners and Managers Association Political Action Committee of Washington State, $2,500 from the Entertainment Software Association and Warden Hutterian Brethren. Monsanto, Microsoft, Washington Refuse and Recycling Association PAC, Nisqually Indian Tribe and Muckleshoot Indian Tribe each donated $2,000.
Complete Coverage
Capital gains tax would fund school reform
OLYMPIA – The Senate’s top Democrat will propose asking Washington voters to approve a capital gains tax on the wealthy to help pay for better schools and more affordable college tuition. Senate Minority Leader Ed Murray, of Seattle, said Friday he will introduce a bill next week for a 5 percent excise tax on capital gains that would hit an estimated 3 percent of the state’s population. It’s an attempt to get what he called a “grand bargain” on education that would link school reforms to the money to pay for it.
New Washington state governor is sworn in
OLYMPIA – The first day of Jay Inslee’s governorship was marked by agreement that Washington needs more jobs but not more taxes, and some disagreements over environmental and social issues.
Republican finds himself as head of coalition majority
An evening last March in the state Senate was definitely a milestone for Mark Schoesler, and possibly a foreshadowing. With the help of a few defecting Democrats and a parliamentary maneuver, Schoesler and fellow Republicans wrested control from majority Democrats and passed an alternative, more conservative budget plan.
Republicans to lead Washington Senate
OLYMPIA – In a move variously described as an exciting opportunity for bipartisanship or a political coup, a pair of Democrats announced Monday they are joining forces with the Senate’s 23 Republicans and plan to run the chamber through a bipartisan coalition. “We want this to be a cooperative arrangement, governing from the middle,” said state Sen. Rodney Tom, of Bellevue, one of two Democrats who joined Republicans.
GOP takes control of state Senate
A coalition of 23 Republicans and two Democrats said today they plan to take control of the Senate when it convenes next month.
Senior legislator Morton to retire at end of year
OLYMPIA – Eastern Washington lost its most senior legislator Wednesday but held onto a leadership position as members of the Senate began preparing for the 2013 session. State Sen. Bob Morton, of Kettle Falls, a 22-year veteran of the Legislature, announced he will retire at the end of this year, halfway through his current term. “I thought it was time to vacate that seat and leave it to someone else,” the 78-year-old Republican said in an interview.
Budgeters put tough decisions on hold
OLYMPIA – For two weeks, legislators have heard emotional, sometimes angry testimony against major cuts to state programs and in favor of raising taxes. Monday, it became apparent they will do neither. At least not this month, in the special session called to address the shortfall.