Elected Experience: Elected to the Senate in 2004, 2008, and 2016 after serving 12 years prior to 2004 in the State House. Elected as State Senate Majority Leader for 2015 Legislative Session.

Other Professional Experience: Self-employed farmer and rancher, raising cattle, wheat, hay and canola. Member, Ways and Means; Member, Rules; Member, Select Committee on Pension Policy, Washington State Institute for Public Policy.

Education: Graduate of Ritzville High School Graduate of Spokane Community College (A.A.S., Agribusiness)

Community Service: Former director, Washington Association of Wheat Growers. Member, Zion Philadelphia Church. Former vice president, Wheatland Communities Fair. Former president, Bronco Boosters. Past President of Washington Friends of Farms and Forests.

Statement: State Senator Mark Schoesler lead the Senate Majority Coalition since the 2014 session. Sen. Schoesler built on the coalition caucus, transforming it into a Republican majority and has focused on limiting tax increases, prioritizing spending on infrastructure, and ensuring the needs of Eastern Washington are heard in Olympia.

Last year, Senate Republicans led by Sen. Schoesler reduced college tuition across Washington 's higher education system. They passed legislation reducing tuition by 20% at regional universities, 15% at research institutions, and 5% at community colleges. After 2016, tuition can only increase at the same rate as median wage growth. Sen. Schoesler led the drive to increase basic education funding by $4.5 billion.

Sen. Schoesler’s focus remains on agriculture and the state budget, which reflects his background as a fifth-generation farmer in Ritzville . Mark has worked closely with counties, schools, hospitals, universities, and public safety officials to protect the services we depend on – garnering support from Republicans and Democrats alike - such as reopening Lyons Ferry State Park.

Sen. Schoesler has proven himself a compassionate, thoughtful, and effective leader in Olympia, and our district would be best served retaining him in his current leadership role next session.