Chris Vance
Encyclopedia
Chris Vance is an American
politician and former chairman of the Washington State Republican Party
.
until the eighth grade, when his family moved to east Pierce County. In 1980, Vance graduated from Sumner High School and attended Western Washington University
where he earned a bachelors degree in Political Science. After college Vance went to work for former Congressman Rod Chandler
, then served as a research analyst with the Washington State Senate
.
for the 31st Legislative District. He was the second ranking Republican on the House Education Committee, and was elected by his colleagues to the position of Assistant Floor Leader. From 1994 to 2001 he represented the 13th district of the King County
Council, acting as a leader in the areas of budget, transportation and land-use.
In 2001, Chris Vance was elected Chairman of the Washington State Republican Party
. He strengthened the Party by getting Republican officials elected, significantly Rob McKenna
, the first Republican State Attorney General
in 13 years.
's failed bid to become state governor
. After winning the first two statewide ballot counts, Secretary of State Sam Reed
certified Rossi as the winner; however, a controversial statwide hand recount resulted in the election of Democratic candidate Christine Gregoire
.
The Rossi campaign and the Washington State Republican Party filed an election contest in Chelan County Superior Court. The controversy over the election lasted over six months and was closely watched by the statewide and national media, with Vance often serving as the spokesman for the GOP and Rossi campaign.
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and former chairman of the Washington State Republican Party
Washington State Republican Party
The Washington State Republican Party is the state affiliate of the national Republican Party, headquartered in Bellevue.The Chairman of the Washington State Republican Party is Kirby Wilbur, former host of the morning drive show on 570 KVI radio in Seattle for over fourteen years. The Vice Chair...
.
Early life
He was born in Seattle in 1962, and lived in BellevueBellevue, Washington
Bellevue is a city in the Eastside region of King County, Washington, United States, across Lake Washington from Seattle. Long known as a suburb or satellite city of Seattle, it is now categorized as an edge city or a boomburb. The population was 122,363 at the 2010 census.Downtown Bellevue is...
until the eighth grade, when his family moved to east Pierce County. In 1980, Vance graduated from Sumner High School and attended Western Washington University
Western Washington University
Western Washington University is one of six state-funded, four-year universities of higher education in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located in Bellingham and offers bachelor's and master's degrees.-History:...
where he earned a bachelors degree in Political Science. After college Vance went to work for former Congressman Rod Chandler
Rod Chandler
Rodney Dennis "Rod" Chandler was a U.S. Representative from Washington. He is the great-great-grandnephew of long-time U.S. Senator Zachariah Chandler of Michigan....
, then served as a research analyst with the Washington State Senate
Washington State Senate
The Washington State Senate is the upper house of the Washington State Legislature. The body consists of 49 senators, each representing a district with a population of nearly 120,000. The State Senate meets at the Legislative Building in Olympia....
.
Political experience
From 1991 to 1993 Vance served in the Washington House of RepresentativesWashington House of Representatives
The Washington House of Representatives is the lower house of the Washington State Legislature, the legislature of the U.S. State of Washington. It is composed of 98 Representatives from 49 districts, each of which elects two members. All members of the House are elected to a two-year term without...
for the 31st Legislative District. He was the second ranking Republican on the House Education Committee, and was elected by his colleagues to the position of Assistant Floor Leader. From 1994 to 2001 he represented the 13th district of the King County
King County, Washington
King County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. The population in the 2010 census was 1,931,249. King is the most populous county in Washington, and the 14th most populous in the United States....
Council, acting as a leader in the areas of budget, transportation and land-use.
In 2001, Chris Vance was elected Chairman of the Washington State Republican Party
Washington State Republican Party
The Washington State Republican Party is the state affiliate of the national Republican Party, headquartered in Bellevue.The Chairman of the Washington State Republican Party is Kirby Wilbur, former host of the morning drive show on 570 KVI radio in Seattle for over fourteen years. The Vice Chair...
. He strengthened the Party by getting Republican officials elected, significantly Rob McKenna
Rob McKenna
Robert Marion "Rob" McKenna is the Republican Attorney General of Washington and was elected in November 2004 for a term beginning in January 2005. He won re-election in November 2008 with over 59 percent statewide...
, the first Republican State Attorney General
State Attorney General
The state attorney general in each of the 50 U.S. states and territories is the chief legal advisor to the state government and the state's chief law enforcement officer. In some states, the attorney general serves as the head of a state department of justice, with responsibilities similar to those...
in 13 years.
2004 Washington gubernatorial election
Vance also played a notable role in Dino RossiDino Rossi
Dino Rossi is an American commercial real estate executive, former Washington State Senator, two-time Republican candidate for Governor of Washington, and former Republican candidate for United States Senate. His first run for the Governor's mansion in the 2004 election became the closest...
's failed bid to become state governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
. After winning the first two statewide ballot counts, Secretary of State Sam Reed
Sam Reed
Sam Reed is the Secretary of State of Washington and a Republican. Reed is Washington's fourteenth Secretary of State.Reed received his bachelor's and master's degrees in political science from Washington State University...
certified Rossi as the winner; however, a controversial statwide hand recount resulted in the election of Democratic candidate Christine Gregoire
Christine Gregoire
Christine O'Grady "Chris" Gregoire is the 22nd and current Governor of the state of Washington, and a member of the Democratic Party. Gregoire defeated Republican candidate Dino Rossi in 2004, and again in 2008. She is the second female governor of Washington...
.
The Rossi campaign and the Washington State Republican Party filed an election contest in Chelan County Superior Court. The controversy over the election lasted over six months and was closely watched by the statewide and national media, with Vance often serving as the spokesman for the GOP and Rossi campaign.
Recent
On January 9, 2006, Chris Vance announced he would resign his position and pursue opportunities in the private sector. He currently works as a public affairs consultant and is a frequent media commentator on Washington State politics, appearing frequently on the KING TV program, "Up Front". Since April 2007, Vance has been a contributing writer with the online newsmagazine, Crosscut.comCrosscut.com
Crosscut.com is a nonprofit, online newspaper based in Seattle, Washington, United States. Crosscut's stated purpose is to "produce journalism in the public interest"...
.