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Chad Magendanz

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Chad Magendanz
Image of Chad Magendanz

Republican Party

Candidate, Washington State Senate District 5

Prior offices
Issaquah School District school board District 4
Washington House of Representatives District 5-Position 2
Elections and appointments
Next election

November 4, 2025

Education

High school

Holland Patent Central High

Bachelor's

Cornell University, 1989

Graduate

Central Washington University, 2021

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Navy

Years of service

1985 - 1997

Service / branch

U.S. Navy

Personal
Birthplace
New York, N.Y.
Religion
Unitarian Universalist
Profession
Teacher
Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Personal Facebook

Personal YouTube

Personal LinkedIn

Chad Magendanz (Republican Party) is running in a special election to the Washington State Senate to represent District 5. He is on the ballot in the special general election on November 4, 2025. He advanced from the special primary on August 5, 2025.

Magendanz (Republican Party) was a member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing District 5-Position 2. He assumed office on January 14, 2013. He left office on January 9, 2017.

Biography

Magendanz was born in New York, New York. Magendanz served in the U.S. Navy from 1985 to 1997 as a nuclear submarine officer. He earned an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering and computer science from Cornell University in 1989. He earned a graduate degree from Central Washington University in 2021. Magendanz's career experience includes working as a computer science teacher with Bellevue School District, program manager with Microsoft, freelance software design consultant with Microsoft, Nike, and Panasonic; and as a product development director with Voter Science, LLC.[1][2]

Magendanz was appointed to the Issaquah School District in Washington in 2008 and elected in November 2009. He served as Legislative Representative from 2009 to 2011 and was elected as President in 2011.[1]

The following is a list of Magendanz's affiliations and accomplishments:[2]

  • Kiwanis Club of Issaquah, treasurer and executive board member
  • NSBA Legislative Coordinator for Congressional District 8, appointee
  • Stand for Children and Safe Roads for Issaquah PACs, coordinator
  • Washington Online Learning Advisory Committee, appointee
  • WSSDA Legislative Committee in 2009 & 2011, elected member
  • 2009 Washington State PTA Outstanding Advocate
  • 2011 graduate of the Jennifer Dunn Leadership Institute
  • 2017-19 TEALS volunteer computer science instructor

Committee assignments

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Magendanz served on the following committees:

2013-2014

In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Magendanz served on the following committees:

Elections

2025

See also: Washington state legislative special elections, 2025

General election

The candidate list in this election may not be complete.

Special general election for Washington State Senate District 5

Incumbent Victoria Hunt and Chad Magendanz are running in the special general election for Washington State Senate District 5 on November 4, 2025.

Candidate
Image of Victoria Hunt
Victoria Hunt (D)
Image of Chad Magendanz
Chad Magendanz (R)

Incumbents are bolded and underlined.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Special nonpartisan primary for Washington State Senate District 5

Incumbent Victoria Hunt and Chad Magendanz advanced from the special primary for Washington State Senate District 5 on August 5, 2025.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Victoria Hunt
Victoria Hunt (D)
 
54.1
 
21,110
✔
Image of Chad Magendanz
Chad Magendanz (R)
 
45.7
 
17,843
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
61

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. Source

Total votes: 39,014
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2024

State Senate

See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for Washington State Senate District 5

Bill Ramos defeated Chad Magendanz in the general election for Washington State Senate District 5 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Bill Ramos
Bill Ramos (D)
 
52.0
 
44,393
Image of Chad Magendanz
Chad Magendanz (R)
 
48.0
 
40,966
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
66

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 85,425
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Washington State Senate District 5

Bill Ramos and Chad Magendanz advanced from the primary for Washington State Senate District 5 on August 6, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Bill Ramos
Bill Ramos (D)
 
53.8
 
24,309
✔
Image of Chad Magendanz
Chad Magendanz (R)
 
46.2
 
20,865
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
28

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 45,202
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Campaign finance

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Magendanz in this election.


Superintendent of Public Instruction

See also: Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction election, 2024

General election

General election for Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction

Incumbent Chris Reykdal defeated David Olson in the general election for Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Chris Reykdal
Chris Reykdal (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
52.8
 
1,746,848
Image of David Olson
David Olson (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
46.6
 
1,543,550
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.6
 
19,932

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 3,310,330
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction

Incumbent Chris Reykdal and David Olson defeated Reid Saaris and John Patterson Blair in the primary for Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction on August 6, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Chris Reykdal
Chris Reykdal (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
39.3
 
702,227
✔
Image of David Olson
David Olson (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
31.2
 
557,822
Image of Reid Saaris
Reid Saaris (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
23.9
 
427,788
Image of John Patterson Blair
John Patterson Blair (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
5.1
 
91,410
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.4
 
7,404

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,786,651
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2022

See also: Washington House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Washington House of Representatives District 5-Position 2

Incumbent Lisa Callan defeated Chad Magendanz in the general election for Washington House of Representatives District 5-Position 2 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Lisa Callan
Lisa Callan (D)
 
53.8
 
38,030
Image of Chad Magendanz
Chad Magendanz (R) Candidate Connection
 
46.1
 
32,528
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
73

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 70,631
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Washington House of Representatives District 5-Position 2

Incumbent Lisa Callan and Chad Magendanz advanced from the primary for Washington House of Representatives District 5-Position 2 on August 2, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Lisa Callan
Lisa Callan (D)
 
55.3
 
23,898
✔
Image of Chad Magendanz
Chad Magendanz (R) Candidate Connection
 
44.5
 
19,250
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
70

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 43,218
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

To view Magendanz's endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here.

2018

See also: Washington House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for Washington House of Representatives District 5-Position 1

Bill Ramos defeated Chad Magendanz in the general election for Washington House of Representatives District 5-Position 1 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Bill Ramos
Bill Ramos (D)
 
51.5
 
38,972
Image of Chad Magendanz
Chad Magendanz (R)
 
48.5
 
36,692

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 75,664
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Washington House of Representatives District 5-Position 1

Bill Ramos and Chad Magendanz advanced from the primary for Washington House of Representatives District 5-Position 1 on August 7, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Bill Ramos
Bill Ramos (D)
 
54.0
 
23,148
✔
Image of Chad Magendanz
Chad Magendanz (R)
 
46.0
 
19,685

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 42,833
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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2016

See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Washington State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 20, 2016.

Incumbent Mark Mullet defeated Chad Magendanz in the Washington State Senate District 5 general election.[3]

Washington State Senate, District 5 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Mark Mullet Incumbent 50.35% 37,342
     Republican Chad Magendanz 49.65% 36,826
Total Votes 74,168
Source: Washington Secretary of State


Incumbent Mark Mullet and Chad Magendanz were unopposed in the Washington State Senate District 5 top two primary.[4][5]

Washington State Senate, District 5 Top Two Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Mark Mullet Incumbent
    Republican Green check mark transparent.png Chad Magendanz
Source: Washington Secretary of State

This candidate ran in one of Ballotpedia's races to watch in 2016. Read more »

2014

See also: Washington House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the Washington House of Representatives took place in 2014. A blanket primary election took place on August 5, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 17, 2014. Colin Alexander (D) and Ryan Dean Burkett (I) were defeated by David Spring (D) and incumbent Chad Magendanz (R) in the primary. Spring was defeated by Magendanz in the general election.[6][7][8]

Washington House of Representatives, District 5-Position 2 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngChad Magendanz Incumbent 59% 26,287
     Democratic David Spring 41% 18,259
Total Votes 44,546
Washington House of Representatives, District 5-Position 2 Top Two Primary, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngChad Magendanz Incumbent 56.4% 12,733
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngDavid Spring 32.7% 7,375
     Democratic Colin J. Alexander 6.8% 1,545
     Independent Ryan Dean Burkett 4% 907
Total Votes 22,560

Endorsements

In 2014, Magendanz's endorsements included the following:[9]

  • The Seattle Times (2014, 2012)
  • The Issaquah Press
  • SnoValley Star
  • The League of Education Voters (2014, 2012)
  • Stand for Children (2014, 2012)
  • Graduate Washington (2014, 2012)
  • National Federation of Independent Business (2014, 2012)
  • Association of Washington Business
  • SEATTLE KingCounty REALTORS® (2014, 2012)
  • Washington Multi-Family Housing Association

2012

See also: Washington House of Representatives elections, 2012

Magendanz won election in the 2012 election for Washington House of Representatives, District 5-Position 2. Magendanz advanced past the August 7 blanket primary election and defeated David Spring (D) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[10]

Washington House of Representatives, District 5-Position 2, General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngChad Magendanz 55.2% 35,961
     Democratic David Spring 44.8% 29,156
Total Votes 65,117
Washington State House of Representatives, District 5-Position 2 Blanket Primary, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngChad Magendanz 53.5% 14,654
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngDavid Spring 42.1% 11,526
     Independent Ryan Dean Burkett 4.4% 1,202
Total Votes 27,382

Campaign themes

2025

Candidate Connection

Chad Magendanz has not yet completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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Other survey responses

Ballotpedia identified the following surveys, interviews, and questionnaires Magendanz completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.

2024

State Senate

Chad Magendanz did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Candidate Connection

Chad Magendanz completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Magendanz's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

In a time of hyper-partisanship, voters have the opportunity this year to send an independent voice to the State Senate: Chad Magendanz.

Chad values problem-solving over party politics. The Seattle Times praised his “proven record of independent thinking, working across the aisle, and well-respected work” on school funding. An education champion in Olympia, he doubled school funding while reducing property tax rates for 44% of school districts. He formed bipartisan coalitions passing landmark legislation on computer science education, innovative schools, electric vehicles, and cybercrime.

It’s time for change in Olympia. One-party rule in the Legislature has resulted in laws so extreme, including tax hikes, that the people of Washington overwhelmingly signed initiatives to overturn them. Washingtonians are also dealing with crises such as the high cost of living, rampant crime and drug use, and student learning loss from too-long COVID closures. The majority party in the Legislature has failed to address these serious problems. It’s clear we need new leadership to get our state back on track. By voting for Chad Magendanz, you can be sure he will focus on the issues that matter, and put you and your family first.
  • Public Safety
  • Accountable Schools
  • Fiscal Restraint
I'm a computer science teacher with 20 years of industry experience as a software developer at Microsoft and 12 years as a nuclear submarine officer for the U.S. Navy. I've served from 2011-12 as the Issaquah school board president and from 2014-17 as Ranking Member of the House Education Committee, where I led negotiations that more than doubled state funding for schools over 8 years. State funding for WA schools is now the 5th highest in the nation, but we have little to show for that investment. Before COVID only 50% of our students were meeting standard in math, but that number has dropped to just 39%. My passion is to put the focus back on student achievement and ensuring our kids can thrive in a 21st century workforce.
My father has proven a fantastic role model. Like me, he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy and promoted the idea of a "sunset career" to "pay it forward" to future generations. He was a public school teacher for 14 years after retiring from dentistry.
Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" and Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends & Influence People"
Integrity, for it's the only true political capital that you have in Olympia. You must have done what you said you've done and do what you say you'll do.
The work ethic and honor code that I internalized in the military have served me well in the private sector and public service, and they've taught me how to function effectively as a team.
We must be good stewards of every tax dollar and understand in every fiber of our being that when it comes to government, less is more. We must use the lightest touch possible and always be on guard for unintended consequences.
For my children and my students, I'd like to leave a state on firm financial footing with a thriving economy rife with opportunities. We've been somewhat successful at the state level achieving that goal thanks to a constitutional balanced budget requirement, but our federal debt and unfunded obligations are a great concern.
The Challenger explosion happened during my freshman year at Cornell, and it solidified my willingness to make personal sacrifices for technological achievement in service to our nation.
My first full-time job was in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear submarine officer. Somehow, spending years of my life submerged under the Pacific Ocean helped provide a valuable perspective for every job that followed. That work ethic and willingness to make personal sacrifices to serve my nation has also helped me serve my community.
"Red Ranger Came Calling" by Berkeley Breathed

When my boys were young, we took a field trip to Vashon Island just to see the “Tweed” bicycle for ourselves. The illustrations in this book are just breathtaking, and it’s also a fabulous Christmas story set here in the Pacific Northwest.
Iron Man
"I'm just a guy" by Brad Paisley
We in the tech sector are rarely extroverts, and I'm no exception. I've had to work a little harder than most getting comfortable with public speaking and working large crowds, but it's paid off.
I'd like to return to Early Learning & K-12 Education as well as Environment, Energy & Technology.
Political polarization.

Five Thirty-Eight, which is run by statistician Nate Silver, asked 2,000 Americans what their biggest concern is right now. Not surprisingly, at the top of the list is inflation. But what came in second? That’s right – political polarization. Ahead of crime. Ahead of COVID-19. Ahead of abortion, education, and taxes.

Political polarization. People are sick of it. Voters put that so high on their list of concerns because they know that none of those other issues have a chance in hell of being fixed if politicians can’t stop competing and start collaborating.
Yes, I believe that candidates should work up through the ranks serving their communities at levels that increase in scope and responsibility, building on their record of accomplishments. This is how it also works in the private sector and the military.
Yes, this is an essential step to finding common ground. I make a point of eating "across the aisle" in the cafeteria below the House floor, getting to know all my fellow legislators. I get the impression that doesn't happen often enough in Washington D.C.
Sen. Andy Hill was a friend and role model who served as chair of Ways & Means when I was in the House. He was the epitome of fiscal restraint and instrumental in rolling out our remedy to the McCleary ruling. During his first term in Olympia, he founded the Majority Coalition Caucus, which restored balance to the state legislature and ensured both parties worked to find common ground. It was more work, but we ended up with a much better work product, often passing budgets with over 90% support. He passed from cancer during the last few months of my 2nd House term.
I would be interested in running for Superintendent of Public Instruction at some point. I actually started a 2024 SPI campaign this spring, but had to drop out because I failed to secure the Republican state convention endorsement and signed a pledge so that we wouldn't crowd the top-two primary.
I hear back from my students every year after they've graduated and gone on to college and careers. Some feel that they've been well-prepared, but many find they lack the 21st-century career skilled needed to thrive in today's economy. Closing this "skills gap" has been the focus of my political career.
Little Zachary was doing very badly in math. His parents had tried everything…tutors, mentors, flash cards, special learning centers, and more.

In short, everything they could think of to help his math.

Finally, in a last ditch effort, they took Zachary down and enrolled him In the local Catholic school. After the first day, little Zachary came home with a very serious look on his face. He didn’t even kiss his mother hello. Instead, he went straight to his room and started studying.

Books and papers were spread out all over the room and little Zachary was hard at work. His mother was amazed. She called him down to dinner.

To her shock, the minute he was done, he marched back to his room without a word, and in no time, he was back hitting the books as hard as before.

This went on for some time, day after day, while the mother tried to understand what made all the difference.

Finally, little Zachary brought home his Report Card. He quietly laid it on the table, went up to his room and hit the books. With great trepidation, His Mom looked at it and to her great surprise, Little Zachary got an ’A’ in math.

She could no longer hold her curiosity. She went to his room and said, ‘Son, what was it? Was it the nuns?’ Little Zachary looked at her and shook his head, no. ‘Well, then,’ she replied, Was it the books, the discipline, the structure, the uniforms? WHAT WAS IT?’

Little Zachary looked at her and said, ‘Well, on the first day of school when I saw that guy nailed to the plus sign, I knew they weren’t fooling around.’
Yes, and going almost 1,000 days after COVID-19 without any legislative constraints to the governor's emergency powers seems to make that case.
Having now "eaten my own dogfood" by pursuing a career as a compute science teacher, there are tactical changes that I would make to my previous work on legislation to promote CS education and alternative routes to certification. As the state with the largest percentage of our workforce in the tech sector, we owe it to our kids to get this one right.
Washington Realtors, Washington Farm Bureau, King County GOP
I not only talk the talk, but I walk the walk. I'm a member of the Washington Coalition for Open Government (WashCOG) and my classroom is video broadcast and recorded so that parents and administrators can view everything that is said.
I support the people's right to initiative and referendum as provided in the state constitution and will fight to protect it. I will also fight to prevent abuse of the emergency clause to work around the people's right to referendum.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2022

Candidate Connection

Chad Magendanz completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Magendanz's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

In an era of hyper-partisan politics, Chad has earned a reputation for building bridges. An education champion in Olympia, he doubled school funding while reducing property tax rates for 44% of school districts. He formed bipartisan coalitions passing landmark legislation on computer science education, innovative schools, electric vehicles, and cybercrime. The Seattle Times endorsed Chad in all his previous House races, calling him “one of the clearest thinkers in the Legislature” who “brings much-needed moderation and intellectual rigor to Olympia.” The Municipal League has also consistently rated Chad “Outstanding” in their candidate evaluations. Washington state needs Chad back in Olympia.
  • Better Schools
  • Fiscal Responsibility
  • More Freedom
I'm a computer science teacher with 20 years of industry experience as a software developer at Microsoft and 12 years as a nuclear submarine officer for the U.S. Navy. I've served from 2011-12 as the Issaquah school board president and from 2014-17 as Ranking Member of the House Education Committee, where I led negotiations that more than doubled state funding for schools over 8 years. State funding for WA schools is now the 5th highest in the nation, but we have little to show for that investment. Our grading policies are lowering expectations for our students in the name of equity, we’re indoctrinating our children with divisive political narratives around race and gender, and we’re ignoring significant learning loss from our aggressive lockdown policies. Before COVID only 50% of our students were meeting standard in math, but last fall that number dropped to just 33%. My passion is to put the focus back on student achievement and ensuring our kids can thrive in a 21st century workforce.
My father has proven a fantastic role model. Like me, he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy and promoted the idea of a "sunset career" to "pay it forward" to future generations. He was a public school teacher for 14 years after retiring from dentistry.
The Challenger explosion happened during my freshman year at Cornell, and it solidified my willingness to make personal sacrifices for technological achievement in service to our nation.
My first full-time job was in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear submarine officer. Somehow, spending years of my life submerged under the Pacific Ocean helped provide a valuable perspective for every job that followed. That work ethic and willingness to make personal sacrifices to serve my nation has also helped me serve my community.
"Red Ranger Came Calling" by Berkeley Breathed

When my boys were young, we took a field trip to Vashon Island just to see the “Tweed” bicycle for ourselves. The illustrations in this book are just breathtaking, and it’s also a fabulous Christmas story set here in the Pacific Northwest.
Iron Man
Because of our system of checks and balances, the relationship between the Legislative branch and Executive branch is somewhat adversarial by nature.
Political polarization.

Five Thirty-Eight, which is run by statistician Nate Silver, asked 2,000 Americans what their biggest concern is right now. Not surprisingly, at the top of the list is inflation. But what came in second? That’s right – political polarization. Ahead of crime. Ahead of COVID-19. Ahead of abortion, education, and taxes.

Political polarization. People are sick of it. Voters put that so high on their list of concerns because they know that none of those other issues have a chance in hell of being fixed if politicians can’t stop competing and start collaborating.
Yes, I believe that candidates should work up through the ranks serving their communities at levels that increase in scope and responsibility, building on their record of accomplishments. This is how it also works in the private sector and the military.
Yes, this is an essential step to finding common ground. I make a point of eating "across the aisle" in the cafeteria below the House floor, getting to know all my fellow legislators. I get the impression that doesn't happen often enough in Washington D.C.
I like Washington's current process with a bipartisan redistricting commission.
I'd like to return to House Education, Higher Education and Appropriations.
Yes, I formed bipartisan coalitions passing landmark legislation on computer science education, innovative schools, electric vehicles, and cybercrime. I also served as co-chair of the Joint Select Committee on Article IX Litigation, which oversaw our remedy for the McCleary decision on school funding.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2016

Magendanz's campaign website highlighted the following issues:

“

Education

  • Education is the paramount duty of the state – and my number one priority as a legislator. As a parent, former Issaquah School board president, and ranking Member on the House Education Committee, I have worked hard to help our schools deliver an outstanding education for our children.
  • We owe it to our children to spend education dollars wisely, to embrace alternatives like charter schools and online learning to prepare them for the 21st century.
  • I have been at the forefront of efforts to implement the McCleary decision, to fund charter schools, and to ensure our property tax system does not penalize 5th District taxpayers.

Environment

  • Washington is already one of the “greenest” states in the nation, with hydropower, as well as solar, wind, and nuclear providing most of our energy. Yet, more can be done to encourage electric cars and other clean energy technologies. We must work to achieve a balance of growth and protection of the environment, ever mindful of the impact to local businesses and private property rights. With sensible policy in Olympia, it’s up to us to protect our state for our children and their children.

Economy

  • As the economy recovers, we need to ensure that small businesses can continue to grow and that our area is providing opportunities for those at the bottom of the economic ladder, as well as those at the top. State government needs to show the same fiscal responsibility we all do in our homes and small businesses. That’s why I have opposed new taxes and will continue to work to protect taxpayers.

Freedom

  • I will fight to defend the constitutional rights and civil liberties of our citizens. America is the land of freedom and opportunity, and that should apply without regard to race, creed, color, gender or sexual orientation.[11]
 ”
—Chad Magendanz[12]

2014

Magendanz's campaign website highlighted the following issues:[13]

Core Tenets:

  • Educate to fuel economic growth
  • Excerpt: "Promote free markets & fair business practices
  • Excerpt: "Budget based on priorities of government
  • Excerpt: "Champion fiscal responsibility
  • Excerpt: "Demand performance accountability

Education:

  • Excerpt: "The Issaquah School District has achieved the highest rating for education investment – student achievement for dollar spent. With the lowest administrative overhead in King County and the best credit rating in the state, we’ve shown we can make every dollar count. We owe it to our children to do more with our limited resources and embrace new methods and technologies to prepare them for the 21st century."

Economy:

  • Excerpt: "Many in the 5th District were dealt a crippling blow from the economic downturn. We need a representative in Olympia who can show fiscal responsibility and reduce spending...just as we’re all now doing in our homes and small businesses. A budgeting process based on priorities of government instead of gimmicks will help restore meaningful economic growth and stability."

Environment:

  • Excerpt: "We must work to achieve a balance of growth and protection of the environment, ever mindful of the impact to local businesses and private property rights. Whether we propose better use of our resources or make sensible policy in Olympia to promote promising new ones, it’s up to us to protect our state for our children and their children."

Freedom:

  • Excerpt: "I will fight to defend the constitutional rights and civil liberties of our citizens. This includes a woman’s right to choose, balanced with respect for religious beliefs and parental rights over minors. America is the land of freedom and opportunity, and that should apply without regard to race, creed, color, gender or sexual orientation."

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Chad Magendanz campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Washington State Senate District 5Lost general$75,140 $105,493
2022Washington House of Representatives District 5-Position 2Lost general$162,651 $168,457
2018Washington House of Representatives District 5-Position 1Lost general$169,985 N/A**
2014Washington House of Representatives, District 5-Position 2Won $77,305 N/A**
2012Washington State House, District 5-Position 2Won $92,064 N/A**
Grand total$577,145 $273,949
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.


Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Washington

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Washington scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.









2017

In 2017, the Washington State Legislature, first session, was in session from January 9 through April 23. There were also special sessions. The first special session was April 24 through May 23. The second special session was May 23 through June 21. The third special session was June 21 through July 20.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the state’s business community.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to home building industry issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Legislators are scored on how they voted on firearm policies.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WSLC's position.


2016


2015


2014


2013


Missed Votes Report

See also: Washington House of Representatives and Washington State Senate

In March 2014, Washington Votes, a legislative information website, released its annual Missed Votes Report, which provides detailed missed roll call votes on bills for every state legislator during the 2014 legislative session.[16] The 2014 regular session included a total of 515 votes in the State House and 396 in the State Senate, as well as 1,372 bills introduced total in the legislature and 237 bills passed. Out of all roll call votes, 90 individual legislators did not miss any votes. Three individual legislators missed more than 50 votes.[16] Magendanz missed 0 votes in a total of 1211 roll calls.

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Magendanz and his wife, Galen, have two sons.[17]

See also

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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Vote 4 Chad, "Biography," accessed Sept. 23, 2013
    2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 3, 2022
    3. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "General Election Results 2016," accessed December 2, 2016
    4. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2016 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 23, 2016
    5. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "August 2, 2016 Primary Results," accessed August 25, 2016
    6. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2014 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 20, 2014
    7. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "August 5, 2014, Official Primary Results," accessed August 5, 2014
    8. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Official general election results, 2014," accessed December 2, 2014
    9. ↑ Vote 4 Chad, "Endorsements," accessed July 14, 2014
    10. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2012 candidates appearing in the primary," accessed Sept. 23, 2013
    11. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    12. ↑ Chad for Senate, "Issues," accessed September 16, 2016
    13. ↑ Vote 4 Chad, "Issues," accessed July 14, 2014
    14. ↑ Multi State, "2015 State Legislative Session Dates," accessed July 13, 2015
    15. ↑ StateScape, "Session schedules," accessed July 23, 2014
    16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Washington Policy Center, "2014 Missed Votes Report for Legislators Released," March 18, 2014
    17. ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Biography," accessed April 16, 2014
    Political offices
    Preceded by
    Glenn Anderson (R)     		Washington House of Representatives District 5-Position 2
    2013-2017     		Succeeded by
    Paul Graves (R)


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