Mark Schoesler chosen as Washington Senate majority leader

OLYMPIA – Ritzville Republican Mark Schoesler was elected the Senate majority leader Monday for the upcoming 2015 session.

Officially, Schoesler will head the Majority Coalition Caucus, a group of 25 Republicans and one Democrat that will control the chamber.

Schoesler, a 57-year-old wheat farmer, has been in the Senate since 2007 after serving seven terms in the House. His southeast Washington district is heavily Republican. He ran unopposed for re-election in 2012, and House incumbents had no opponents this year or in 2012.

A blunt-speaking but quotable legislator, Schoesler served several sessions as Republican floor leader, essentially the floor general for parliamentary maneuvers, in recent years when the GOP was the minority caucus. The Republicans picked up one seat in a special election in 2013 and another this year, so they have 25 seats in the 49-member chamber. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, chose to join Republicans – as he did in 2012 – to forge the ruling coalition.

Schoesler said the coalition will “put people over politics.” 

Schoesler’s election came during a caucus meeting in Yakima to fill leadership slots. Sheldon was named Senate president pro tem, the person who presides over the chamber when Lt. Gov. Brad Owen isn’t present.

Linda Evans Parlette, of Wenatchee, was named caucus chairwoman and Joe Fain, of Auburn, floor leader.