Brian Dansel
A candidate for Washington State Senate, Legislative District 7 (Northeastern Washington) in the 2013 Washington General Election, Nov. 5
Party: Republican
Age: 41
City: Republic, Washington
Education: Earned Associate of Arts degree from Walla Walla Community College. Graduated from Republic High School.
Work experience: Former golf pro, contractor.
Political experience: Elected as Ferry County Commissioner in 2010. Won election to state Senate in 2013 and served as vice chair of both the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources committees. Joined Trump Administration in 2017 as a special assistant to the Secretary of Agriculcuture and served as an advisor on the National Economic Council. Later in 2017 appointed as executive director of the USDA’s Washington State Farm Service Agency. In 2019, he was appointed as the USDA’s Pacific Northwest regional director. He was appointed to a seat on the Ferry County Commission in 2023.
Family: Married, one son.
Contact information
Race Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Dansel (R) | 13,369 | 53.33% |
| John Smith (R) | 11,698 | 46.67% |
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Most years, it’s considered an advantage to hold the office you are seeking in the upcoming election. Brian Dansel and Mike Brunson, who are challenging appointed Sen. John Smith for the seat in northeast Washington’s sprawling 7th District, are hoping 2013 isn’t like most years. Being in the state Senate is not exactly a badge of honor after a prolonged session that needed nearly 50 extra days to accomplish the Legislature’s primary goal of passing the operating budget.