Fourth generation rancher announces run for State Representative

SPOKANE, Wash. — Fourth generation rancher Michael Schmidt announced he is running for State Representative in District 4.

"My family has been here for 125 years in Eastern Washington, ranching, farming," said Schmidt.

Schmidt is a political outsider; his entire family tree is rooted in agriculture.

"I've been doing it for 50 years, I've been working in Eastern Washington. I have the heartbeat of Eastern Washington, I know what they need," said Schmidt.

His blue-collar background feeds his conservative approach to politics. Schmidt said he wants to limit the overreach of government and restore more power to local communities, particularly when it comes to education.

"I don't think they should be telling us how to run our schools. It should be in the hands of the parents first and foremost, and then the local school boards because they can be voted in and out by parents," said Schmidt.

Schmidt is running to fill the seat of Leonard Christianson, a republican who announced his candidacy for State Senate.

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