Schoesler chosen as new leader for Senate GOP

OLYMPIA (AP) – Republicans have chosen Sen. Mark Schoesler as the party’s leader in the Washington state  Senate.

The GOP announced its new Senate leadership team on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 5. The party is looking to work with two Democrats to form a working majority and control more of the chamber’s  activities.

Schoesler, of Ritzville, has been in the state Senate since 2007 and had been working this past year as the Republican floor leader. Former Senate Republican leader Mike Hewitt recently stepped aside from that  position.

The Republicans tapped Sen. Linda Evans...