SEATTLE — There are strong indications today that a prominent Republican is about to jump into the race against Democratic U.S. Senator Patty Murray.
Leaders of both parties expect Chris Vance to announce his candidacy early next week.
Vance served as a state lawmaker and a King County Councilmember.
He then served as the statewide chair of the Washington Republican Party from 2001 to 2006.
Finding a clue that Vance will run, Democrats linked to a "ChrisVanceForSenate" website on Twitter.
Vance had no comment when KIRO 7 called him, and would say only that he's considering the race.
However, the current Republican Party Chair, Susan Hutchison, believes Vance will challenge Murray.
“When he announces, if he's true to form, he will be very well prepared to begin a campaign [against] the sitting senator,” said Hutchison.
Still—having won four consecutive elections, Senator Murray will not be an easy target.
“Well I think people are tired of Patty Murray,” Hutchison said. “I think they are tired of her support of President Obama's agenda.”
But Democrats say it's the wrong time for a change.
“Patty Murray, on the other hand, has clearly demonstrated leadership when it comes to improving wages, [and] when it comes to improving middle class security and jobs,” said Washington Democratic Party Chair Jaxon Ravens. “And protecting the rights of health care for women and also for veterans and their families.”
Democrats already know what they want to tell voters about Vance.
“When he showed his support for George W. Bush, he was the biggest cheerleader, and he openly said that he want[ed] to bring a northwest version of George W. Bush right here to Washington," said Ravens.
Republican Party Chair Susan Hutchison says she has not heard of any other Republicans interested in the race.
The two candidates spent roughly 26 million dollars combined during Murray's last Senate race in 2010.
The 2016 race is expected to be much more expensive.
KIRO
