November 04, 2004

Republicans sweep Ninth District races

By DAVID REY

Editor

The GOP’s 70-year stronghold on state offices in this area was affirmed again on Tuesday, as all three Republican candidates for Ninth District offices won their races handily.

Voters promoted Mark Schoesler from his post as state representative for the district to state senator. The Ritzville Republican replaces Larry Sheahan, who resigned to unsuccessfully run for Congress.

Schoesler decisively claimed the victory over Pullman Democrat Gail Rowland, with 71 percent of the vote.

David Buri, who emerged battle-hardened after a close five-person GOP primary showdown, cruised to victory in the General Election over Democrat Eileen Macoll. Buri collected 65 percent of the vote.

Buri replaces Schoesler as one of the Ninth’s representatives in the Legislature.

Joining Buri in the Legislature is fellow Colfax resident and incumbent Republican, Don Cox.

Cox received little challenge from his opponent, the third of a trio of Pullman Democrats in Ninth District races, Sean Gallegos. The final margin in that race was 71-28 percent.

Medical Lake voters decided against taking the plunge on a metropolitan park district, voting down the proposal 52-48, with 41 votes separating the yes and no votes.

The future of that city’s parks and recreation system is now unclear.

At the county level, Todd Mielke’s appeal to voters all across Spokane County gave him a solid victory over the county’s treasurer, Linda Wolverton, in the county commissioner, Pos. 1 contest.

Republican Mark Richard held a two point lead over his Democratic opponent, Bill Burke, in the other county commissioner position election, 51-49.

Richard’s lead is just under 3,000 votes, but some counting of votes still needs to be done to call a sure winner.

All of these results are unofficial at this time.