Chris Vance is an American politician and former chairman of the Washington State Republican Party.
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He was born in Seattle in 1962, and lived in Bellevue until the eighth grade, when his family moved to east Pierce County. In 1980, Vance graduated from Sumner High School and attended Western Washington University where he earned a bachelors degree in Political Science. After college Vance went to work for former Congressman Rod Chandler, then served as a research analyst with the Washington State Senate.
From 1991 to 1993 Vance served in the Washington House of Representatives for the 31st Legislative District. He was the second ranking Republican on the House Education Committee, and was elected by his colleagues to the position of Assistant Floor Leader. From 1994 to 2001 he represented the 13th district of the King County Council, acting as a leader in the areas of budget, transportation and land-use.
In 2001, Chris Vance was elected Chairman of the Washington State Republican Party. He strengthened the Party by getting Republican officials elected, significantly Rob McKenna, the first Republican State Attorney General in 13 years.
Vance also played a notable role in Dino Rossi's failed bid to become state governor. After winning the first two statewide ballot counts, Secretary of State Sam Reed certified Rossi as the winner; however, a controversial statwide hand recount resulted in the election of Democratic candidate Christine Gregoire.
The Rossi campaign and the Washington State Republican Party filed an election contest in Chelan County Superior Court. The controversy over the election lasted over six months and was closely watched by the statewide and national media, with Vance often serving as the spokesman for the GOP and Rossi campaign.
On January 9, 2006, Chris Vance announced he would resign his position and pursue opportunities in the private sector.[1] He currently works as a public affairs consultant and is a frequent media commentator on Washington State politics, appearing frequently on the KING TV program, "Up Front". Since April 2007, Vance has been a contributing writer with the online newsmagazine, Crosscut.com.[2]