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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

House Pos. 2

Election Results

Candidate Votes Pct
Leonard Christian (R) 29,077 51.17%
Rob Chase (R) 27,748 48.83%

* Race percentages are calculated with data from the Secretary of State's Office, which omits write-in votes from its calculations when there are too few to affect the outcome. The Spokane County Auditor's Office may have slightly different percentages than are reflected here because its figures include any write-in votes.

About the Race

The Candidates

Leonard Christian

Party:
Republican
Age:
59
City:
Spokane Valley, Washington

Education: Graduated from Ferris High School in 1984. Christian completed an associate degree from the College of the Air Force just before retiring from the military and went on to complete a degree in aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Graduated with a master's of business from Webster University.

Work Experience: Has worked as a real estate agent for Live Real Estate since 2014. Previously was a real estate agent for Windermere Real Estate and before that worked for Thomas and Black Real Estate. Christian was in the Air Force from 1984 to 2005, working many jobs, including aircraft mechanic and security specialist. He retired with the rank of master sergeant.

Political Experience: Elected to state House in 2022. Appointed to a seat in the Washington State Legislature in 2014 to fill the remainder of Larry Crouse's term. He lost primary election against Bob McCaslin Jr. to keep the seat in August 2014. Lost close election for Spokane County assessor in 2018. Is a founding member of Republicans of Spokane County and served as vice chairman and chairman of the organization.

Family: Married to Rima Christian and has two children.

Campaign fundraising: Raised more than $50,000 as of Oct. 1, 2024, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission. Contributions include a $6,000 cash loan to himself. Notable donors include Kaiser Aluminum; the Chevron Company; Avista; DoorDash; Max Kuney, owner of Kuney Construction and husband of Spokane County Commission Chair Mary Kuney; and the political action committees for the Associated General Contractors of the Inland Northwest, Koch Industries and the Washington Hospitality Association.

Rob Chase

Party:
Republican
Age:
71

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 recently 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 1972-1978. 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, Spokane County commissioner in 2012 and 2018, and Spokane Valley City Council in 2023. 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 more than $16,700 as of Oct. 2, including a $400 loan to himself. Notable donors include the Spokane Home Builders Association; outgoing state Sen. Mike Padden and his wife, Spokane Valley City Councilwoman Laura Padden; Spokane County GOP Chair MJ Bolt; Spokane Valley Mayor Pam Haley; Spokane Valley Councilman Rod Higgins; the Idaho Free Enterprise Institute; Mary Moldenhauer, widow of esteemed musicologist Hans Moldenhauer; and Duane Alton, a prolific donor to conservative politicians and causes who founded Alton’s Tires.

Complete Coverage

Leonard Christian appears headed to state House in race against incumbent Rob Chase for Spokane Valley seat

The Republican real estate agent is on the verge of unseating the Republican lawmaker. 

McCaslin still gaining on Dalton; Chase’s re-election odds look increasingly slim

Spokane County Auditor Vicky Dalton’s seat appears to be in jeopardy and 4th Legislative District Rep. Rob Chase’s path to victory looks increasingly narrow. 

Republicans win majority on Spokane County Commission; McCaslin gains on Dalton in auditor’s race

Maggie Yates has conceded to Al French, Bob McCaslin is chipping away at Vicky Dalton’s lead and Leonard Christian’s odds of upsetting Rob Chase look increasingly good. 

Two Republicans with different takes on issues, incumbent Chase and former legislator Christian, vie for 4th Legislative District seat

Inflation, public safety and COVID-19 recovery are top of mind for candidates running in the heavily Republican 4th Legislative District.

Chase and Christian disagree on election integrity during 4th Legislative District House debate

Former state Rep. Leonard Christian joined incumbent state House Rep. Rob Chase on stage at the Bing Crosby Theater on Thursday night in a debate for the 4th Legislative District seat representing Spokane Valley.

Haven’t yet voted in the primary election? Here’s what’s at stake in Spokane County

For those who liking waiting to the last minute to cast their ballots, here’s a look at the candidate field. 

Spin Control: Why a judge won’t block a House rule and let unvaccinated lawmakers vote in person

A handful of House Republicans were dealt a blow Friday in their fight against a requirement that they be vaccinated against COVID-19 or stay out of the chamber and participate in the upcoming session by Zoom.

Spokane-area lawmakers join lawsuit against Democratic House leaders for requiring vaccination in state capitol chamber

Unvaccinated members who wish to be in their on-campus offices during the session must receive a negative test three days a week.