Rob Chase
A candidate for 4th District, House Pos. 2, Legislative District 4 (Spokane Valley) in the 2020 Washington Primary Election, Aug. 4
Party: Republican
Age: 70
Education: Graduated from Kellogg High School in 1972. Graduated from Eastern Washington University in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, operations management.
Work experience: Is semiretired, but has worked as a U.S. Census Bureau enumerator and security guard for Phoenix Protective Corps in Spokane Valley. Worked as an expeditor with Haakon Industries based in Cheney from 2006 to 2007. Held mortgage origination and real estate licenses. Served in U.S. Army Reserves from 1972-78. Now volunteers with Spokane Fatherhood Initiative.
Political experience: Elected as a state representative in 2020. Served one term and lost his re-election bid in 2022. Elected Spokane County treasurer in 2010 and 2014. Republican Party precinct committee officer. Ran unsuccessfully for state Senate in 2000, U.S. House in 2002 and Spokane County Commissioner in 2012 and 2018. Served as Eastern Washington coordinator for Ron Paul for President in 2008 and 2012 and Eastern Washington coordinator for Clint Didier’s 2010 Senate campaign.
Family: Married to Chris Chase and has four children.
Campaign contributions: Has raised $6,725 as of July 2. Notable donors include outgoing state Sen. Mike Padden, Spokane Valley Mayor Pam Haley, Spokane Valley Councilman Rod Higgins, the Idaho Free Enterprise Institute and Duane Alton, a prolific donor to conservative politicians and causes who founded Alton’s Tires.
Contact information
Race Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Lance Gurel (D) | 17,503 | 34.45% |
| Rob Chase (R) | 16,920 | 33.30% |
| Leonard Christian (R) | 13,531 | 26.63% |
| Nathan Sybrandy (R) | 2,851 | 5.61% |
Related Coverage
4th district candidates Lance Gurel, Rob Chase disagree on almost everything, especially COVID-19 and science
Lance Gurel and Rob Chase, the two men running to replace outgoing state Rep. Matt Shea, disagree on almost every issue, whether it’s requiring people to wear a mask, how to fund state government, or whether it’s responsible to share conspiracy theories online.
Primary shows Rep. Matt Shea remains big influence in GOP politics in Spokane Valley
While Matt Shea isn’t running for re-election, his influence can still be felt throughout Spokane Valley’s 4th Legislative District.
Bob McCaslin, Rob Chase will take on Democrats in 4th; Mike Padden tops Senate primary
The first night of results show voters in the 4th Legislative District still support Republicans who have aligned themselves with controversial state Rep. Matt Shea over moderate challengers.
4 run for open Spokane Valley seat in state House
The four candidates running to fill an open seat representing Spokane Valley in the state House of Representatives don’t agree on much, though they all acknowledge the state’s ailing budget will require aid.
4th District candidates scramble after Shea decides not to run
Spokane County’s 4th Legislative District is a reliably Republican stronghold that typically does not draw a crowd of aspiring candidates. But as with so many other things, 2020 has proved atypical.
Postponed events, virtual outreach: Coronavirus disrupts campaign for region’s congressional seat
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers postponed her traditional campaign kickoff in the district last month, while Democratic challenger Chris Armitage has shifted to online outreach in his upset bid in the November election. Rob Chase, the latest entry into the contest, said he hopes to resume normal campaigning this summer.
Former Spokane County Treasurer Rob Chase files as Republican to challenge Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Chase becomes the third candidate in the 2020 contest for the Eastern Washington seat, joining Democrat Chris Armitage. Chase has previously run for the seat as a libertarian and has ties to more conservative-minded Republicans in Eastern Washington, including the embattled state legislator Rep. Matt Shea.
‘Second-worst’ label is not one Republicans often use against this newspaper
Republican Rob Chase might reconsider his description of The Spokesman-Review if he knew the context.