(Editor’s note: Remember to vote in the primary by August 5! To see all state and local candidates endorsed by AGC’s BUILD PAC, click here.)
AGC’s BUILD PAC has endorsed Chad Magendanz (R) for the 5th District State Senate race. This race is one of the few special elections, as the seat became vacant due to the unfortunate passing of Sen. Bill Ramos.
Chad may be familiar to many AGC members as he was in the State House of Representatives from 2013-2017, when he made his mark as an independent voice. AGC’s BUILD PAC has consistently supported Chad in his previous runs for office.
Chad’s opponent is Sen. Victoria Hunt (D), who had been serving in the House but was appointed to the Senate to replace Sen. Ramos.
There are certainly important policy distinctions between the two: Sen. Hunt, who earned only a 15% score for AGC’s 2025 legislative vote record, voted in favor of the B&O tax increase, capital gains/estate tax increases, local property tax increase authority, sales tax expansion, as well as unemployment insurance for striking workers – all measures that AGC was strongly opposed to. Chad has stated for the record that he would have voted against all of those bills had he been in the Legislature this year.
Chad’s path into public service started when he got involved in the PTA, then served on the Issaquah School Board, including as president. In 2012, Chad was elected to the State House, where he served two terms. He focused on fixing problems, not playing politics, and became known for working across the aisle to get results, especially on education.
One of his most important accomplishments was helping lead the bipartisan fix to Washington’s school funding crisis after the McCleary decision. The Seattle Times praised his “independent thinking” and his clear focus on solutions, not agendas.
Today Chad is a full-time computer science teacher. Chad earned his degree in electrical and computer engineering from Cornell, followed by a master’s in teaching from Central Washington University. He served 12 years in the Navy as a nuclear submarine officer, then spent over two decades developing software at Microsoft before becoming a public school teacher in Bellevue.
AGC’s BUILD PAC has made the maximum allowable contribution to Chad’s campaign. AGC members are encouraged to visit his website and consider supporting his effort. The current makeup of the State Senate is 31 Democrats, 19 Republicans. Chad’s election would be an important step towards greater balance in the Legislature.
Photo: AGC’s Michele Willms and Jerry VanderWood, and AGC Government Affairs Committee Chair Ross Pouley (RAP Consultants), visit with Chad Magendanz (second from right).