Despite odds, Republican Vance convinced he can unseat Murray

  • By Jerry Cornfield Herald Writer
  • Friday, May 27, 2016 7:59pm
  • Local News

EVERETT — Republican Chris Vance is an experienced political hand and knows the monumental challenge he’s undertaken to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray.

But in a campaign stop in Everett this week he said he couldn’t stand idly by as partisanship continued to paralyze Congress and prevent members from dealing with the rising federal debt, unfair tax system, underfunded Social Security and a host of threats to the nation’s security.

“I am horrified at what’s happening in this country and have been for some time. I came to the conclusion the only way to change things is to run for office,” he said before hosting a town hall in the Everett Elks Lodge.

“This is a crusade. I don’t care how long the odds are. I don’t care if people think I’m crazy,” he said of taking on the five-term incumbent Murray. “This has got to change.”

Vance, 54, is married and has two grown children. He’s been engaged in politics in one form or another since working as an assistant field director on a congressional campaign at the age of 20.

He’s served in the state House of Representatives, on the King County Council and, from 2001-2006, as chairman of the Washington State Republican Party. He’s also run unsuccessfully for Congress and superintendent of public instruction.

These days he’s got a private business as a political consultant, is an adjunct professor at the University of Washington and works part time for Randy Dorn, the state’s public schools chief.

On Thursday, he hosted a 90-minute town hall and about 15 people showed up, most with questions.

The theme of Vance’s campaign is “A Time for Truth” and he let them know right up front that he’d be honest with them, maybe to a fault.

“If you don’t like what I’m saying, don’t vote for me,” he said.

His campaign message is simple, he said. Congress is a mess and the process broken.

“Patty Murray has been there 24 years. Patty Murray is part of the problem. She is the living, breathing, walking personification of the status quo,” he said.

Vance shared his frustration with the inaction of Congress, including its failure to pass a budget, as well with an electorate unwilling to take matters into its own hands.

“You voters are mad,” he said. “Voters have got to wise up. If you’re mad at Congress, vote the incumbents out.”

On policies, he said his top priority is reducing the federal debt, reforming the tax code, and replacing the federal health care law referred to as Obamacare.

He also outlined ways to strengthen Social Security, including increasing the retirement age and raising the taxable wage cap.

Audience members pressed him on military spending and he said he wants to increase it.

They asked for specifics on his tax reform ideas. He said he wants to lower tax rates for everyone and eliminate almost all exemptions except ones such as the homeowner’s exemption that he says directly benefits middle class families.

And, as anticipated, Vance fielded a question about Donald Trump from a Trump supporter wearing a red ball cap synonymous with the Republican presidential nominee’s campaign.

“I was wondering how long it would take,” said Vance, who announced May 5 he would not be voting for Trump in either the presidential primary or the November election.

In answering, he stressed his opposition to Hillary Clinton, the presumed Democratic Party nominee. He noted that there is a divide among Republicans on Trump because of his policies as well as some of his statements.

“I am running against Patty Murray. I am not running against Donald Trump. I am not trying to hurt Donald Trump. I can’t lie about it,” he said of his decision to make his opposition public.

Among those attending Thursday was Mike Luke, the Libertarian Party candidate for U.S. Senate who lives in Lynnwood.

Luke came to listen and didn’t ask any questions. He said he disagreed with Vance’s pledge to increase military spending and wondered how it could be done and keep the federal budget balanced.

And Luke said voters need to think hard before casting a ballot for Vance instead of Murray because his political party is as much responsible as Murray’s for the nation’s fiscal mess.

“They’ve enabled Patty Murray and Democrats with their mentality of spend, spend, spend,” he said.

Thursday night’s forum was the fifth of eight town halls Vance is conducting around the state between May 5 and June 7. It can be viewed online at https://chrisvanceforsenate.com/town-halls. The remaining events are planned for Vancouver, Redmond and Bellingham.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.