State's GOP senators elect Schoesler to lead caucus

Ninth District Sen. Mark Schoesler of Ritzville was unanimously elected to the top spot in the senate Nov. 28 when the legislature’s 23 Republican senators met in Olympia to choose leaders for the next two years.

Schoesler, who was unopposed, was elected to a third term in the senate in the Nov. 6 election. A third senate term will make him the longest-serving legislator from the 9th district.

His previous two terms in the Senate followed six terms in the House of Representatives. That makes Schoesler one of the longest-serving members of the legislature.

His freshman year as a representative was in 1992.

The top GOP post became vacant when Sen. Mike Hewitt of Walla Walla opted against seeking another term as head of the Senate Republican caucus.

Schoesler stressed that his new post won’t take the values, traditions and priorities of the 9th District out of him.

“My focus will continue to be on the needs and views of the friends and neighbors who have entrusted me to represent them in Olympia,” he stressed.

Schoesler since 2006 has been on the Senate Republican leadership team, first as whip and more recently as floor leader.

Schoesler said he realizes many are wondering how the Senate will operate when the legislatures convene.

The 2013 legislative session begins Jan. 14 and is scheduled to last 105 days.

The 49-member Senate late in the 2012 session created a bi-partisan coalition including members of the Democrats’ majority working with the GOP minority.

“Naturally, I was pleased to receive the complete support and confidence of my colleagues, but it’s particularly gratifying to become leader at a time when Republican senators can expect an increased role in the governing process - in controlling state spending and making the sort of policy decisions that we hope will encourage job growth and help Washington’s economy recover more quickly,” Schoesler said.

Schoesler, who raises wheat, canola and cattle on land in Adams and Lincoln counties, said being a farmer makes him an eternal optimist.

“I don’t want our legislative branch to be like the one in the other Washington, and that will be reflected in my approach as Senate Republican leader. Although I’m politically conservative, I also recognize that our first priority as a group is to govern, and that often means meeting closer to the center.”

“Regardless of how the Senate conducts business in 2013, I expect it will be more about policy and less about politics,” Schoesler said. “The questions about partisanship and leadership style really ought to be directed to the House. Is it capable of saying ‘no’ to special interests and following the Senate’s move toward a more inclusive, centrist approach, or will we continue to see the Senate produce good bipartisan bills only to have them smack against a partisan wall in the House?”

Schoesler is a member of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and was part of the Senate Republican budget negotiating team in 2011 and 2012. Through his budget work he has become well-acquainted with Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, the outgoing Senate Ways and Means chairman who was chosen last week to serve as Senate Democratic leader.

“I like to think I have a good working relationship with Senator Murray, and expect that will continue even though our respective titles have changed,” Schoesler said. “I also appreciate the overtures he’s made already about collaborating with Republicans, and I will recommend that our new leadership team meet with its Democratic counterparts soon to discuss the upcoming session.”

Schoesler anticipates retaining his positions on the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Rules Committee.