YAKIMA…The state Senate Republican Caucus has again elected Sen. Mark Schoesler as its leader, two months ahead of the 2019 legislative session.

The longtime 9th District lawmaker, first elected Republican leader prior to the 2013 session, was among the eight senators chosen to the leadership team by caucus members who met in Yakima over the weekend.

“I appreciate that our caucus has again placed its trust in me as our side of the aisle continues working for all of Washington – each corner and every county, whether rural, suburban or urban,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “I see it as a compliment to the 9th District values which I’ve brought to my job as leader for almost a half-dozen years.

“When I look at our new leadership team I see senators who have led the way on our established priorities – like providing more support for our public schools, and for mental-health care, and promoting sensible tax policies that make Washington a good place to do business. And I also see senators who are stepping forward to address issues like affordable housing and homelessness, where a dose of new thinking is needed.

“Even though our side is a year removed from having the majority in the Senate, I think people will see that we’re still leading on the issues that matter the most in our state, especially to the hard-working families and employers who keep our economy going,” Schoesler predicted.

Schoesler was chosen Senate majority leader in 2015 and again in 2017. He returned to being Republican leader for 2018 after control of the Senate shifted due to a late-2017 election in one district.