Chris Vance, a former chairman of the Washington State Republican Party, formally launched his campaign Monday to unseat incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray in 2016.
“I am running to tell the truth,” Vance declares in a video posted on his campaign web site. “The gridlock in Congress is nothing short of a national disgrace. And the truth is after 24 years in the Senate, Patty Murray is part of the problem.”
Vance, 53, pledged in the video that his campaign “is going to be different” as he would not be spewing “empty meaningless clichés” and airing “cheesy, Hollywood-style attack ads.”
Rather, he said in a press release, he would focus on talking about specific policy proposals such as how to end partisan gridlock in Congress, strengthen the economy, “create jobs through pro-growth tax reform and save Social Security and Medicare.”
Vance served as party chairman from 2001-06 after stints on the King County Council and the state House of Representatives. The Auburn resident now runs a consulting firm and has worked part-time for the state as a senior advisor to Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn.
Vance is the first Republican to enter the race. He arrives as a heavy underdog to Murray who is one of the state’s most popular political figures. As a candidate, she’s proven her ability to raise money and campaign relentlessly.
Democratic Party leaders have been planning for his announcement.
“Washington voters will face a clear choice in this race between Washington state’s Karl Rove, Republican Party Chairman Chris Vance, and Washington state’s champion for the middle class, Senator Patty Murray,” said party chairman Jaxon Ravens said in a statement.
Vance, Ravens continued, “is a professional partisan who has dedicated his career to electing conservative Republicans like George W. Bush and fighting for failed Republican policies.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
