Hasson Draws Gop Wrath For Appointment Leaders Question Choice Of Sterk Over Lynn Schindler For Legislature

FOR THE RECORD CORRECTION: The publisher of the Spokane Valley News is not treasurer of the county’s Republican party as reported in a story Friday. Also, Sandy Ogle is a Republican activist but does not hold a leadership position in the party. Correction published on Saturday, April 22, 1995.

Spokane County Commissioner Steve Hasson left the Democratic Party in January. Some of his new Republican brethren wish he’d go back.

Hasson offended GOP leaders by picking Mark Sterk, rather than Lynn Schindler, to fill an empty seat in the state House of Representatives.

Schindler, Sterk and Bob Blum were the party’s nominees for the position vacated by Mike Padden, a Republican who resigned to become a Spokane County District Court judge.

Sterk started work in the Legislature on Monday. He represent’s the 4th District, which includes the Valley and surrounding areas.

By law, commissioners could pick any of the three nominees. But 37 of 42 party leaders supported Schindler during a nomination meeting; they expected Hasson to do the same.

“The letter of the law was followed,” said Rich Munson, 4th District Republican leader. “But the spirit of the law is that, when the majority support somebody, that should be the selection.”

Hasson said he supported Sterk because he ran a strong race for sheriff in November. During interviews with commissioners, Sterk was the only nominee who said he’d run for the Legislature even if he weren’t appointed.

“I support candidates who are willing to work for a position rather than have it handed to them,” Hasson said. “This process isn’t a rubber stamp.”

Commissioner Skip Chilberg, a Democrat, also voted for Sterk. Republican Phil Harris voted for Schindler.

GOP party leaders say they like Sterk, but considered Schindler the stronger candidate. She has worked on several campaigns, is former vice chairwoman of the Republican Central Committee and is a favorite of Christian conservatives.

Hasson said he’s been taken to task by GOP county chairman Duane Sommers and other party leaders.

Rob Allen, GOP treasurer and publisher of the Spokane Valley News, wrote that Hasson had “slapped the face” of Valley Republicans.

“I’m ashamed of you,” 7th District leader Sandy Ogle wrote in a letter to Hasson.

No one is more angry than Schindler. In a letter to commissioners, she wrote that Hasson “shows an arrogance that defies description” and called his decision “illogical and outrageous.”

“I worked harder than any other candidate,” wrote Schindler, who held an open house for party leaders and wrote to each of them three times to earn their support.

“I won the election because I was the best qualified and I did my homework.”

The rift could hurt Hasson’s political future in the 4th District. Hasson has said he’s interested in serving in the state Senate if Sen. Bob McCaslin decides not to run again next year.

“I will not support him,” said Munson, adding that “this is just the latest” stunt that’s turned him against Steve Hasson.