OLYMPIA — Former Washington state Republican Party Chairman Chris Vance announced Tuesday that he’s running against Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, who is seeking a fifth term.
In a written statement, and a video posted online, Vance said he is running for a six-year term because he is tired of the gridlock in Congress.
“The dysfunction in Washington DC is nothing short of a national disgrace,” he wrote. “And unfortunately the truth is, after 24 years in the Senate, Patty Murray is part of the problem.”
Vance also unveiled his campaign website detailing his take on a range of issues, from immigration reform to Social Security and Medicare.
“There are answers to these problems but Republicans and Democrats refuse to compromise and work together,” Vance wrote.
Shortly after the announcement, an email was sent out by the group “People for Patty Murray,” asking supporters to donate to her campaign and referring to Vance as “the Karl Rove of Washington state.”
Vance, 53, previously served in the state House and on the King County Council before taking over as Washington’s Republican party chairman from 2001 to 2006.
Most recently, he’s worked as a consultant and political commentator.
Murray was first elected in 1992 and last re-elected in 2010, when she beat Republican Dino Rossi with 52 percent of the vote.
