Brian Dansel

Brian Ross Dansel (born April 2, 1983)[1] is an American politician, political advisor, and current member of the Ferry County Board of Commissioners. Before that he was a Special Assistant to the United States Secretary of Agriculture in the Trump Administration. He was previously a Republican member of the Washington State Senate from the 7th Legislative District.[2] Dansel won the seat in the 2013 election, in which he defeated appointed senator John Smith, and was sworn in on December 6, 2013.[3]

Brian Dansel
Member of the Washington Senate
from the 7th district
In office
December 6, 2013 – January 24, 2017
Preceded byJohn Smith
Succeeded byShelly Short
Personal details
Born
Brian Ross Dansel

(1983-04-02) April 2, 1983
Republic, Washington, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationWalla Walla Community College (AA)

In a letter to the Washington State Office of Governor dated January 24, 2017, Dansel resigned as senator for the seventh district and vacated his seat after accepting a position with the Trump Administration as a Special Assistant to the Secretary of Agriculture.[4] In early November, he returned to Washington state to be the director of the state's USDA Farm Service Agency.[5]

In 2023, he became a Ferry County Commissioner.[6]

Washington State Senate

Dansel represented Douglas, Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, and Stevens Counties, along with portions of Grant and Spokane Counties.[7] An earlier redistricting proposal from 2021 would have divided Okanogan County between the 7th and 13th districts.[8]

Elections

In 2013, Dansel ran against incumbent Republican senator John Smith. On November 5, 2013, Dansel defeated Smith with 54% of the vote.[9]

During his campaign for state senate, Dansel received the endorsement of the Washington Education Association and a $500 contribution from the Spokane Committee on Political Education, a political action committee under the AFL-CIO.[10][11] Smith claimed that Dansel was a "tool of unions" throughout the campaign. Dansel responded by asserting that "he'll listen to anyone, whether they agree with him or not."[12]

Washington State Senate special election from the 7th District, 2013
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Brian Dansel 18,873 54
Republican John Smith (Incumbent) 16,324 46

2024 congressional run

On February 10, 2024, Dansel announced that he would be a candidate for the United States House of Representatives to succeed Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who is not seeking reelection.[13] On April 19th, his campaign was endorsed by the Washington State Republican Party during the State convention.[14]

References
  1. "State FSA leader to ranchers: Have faith in Trump". Capital Press. 2018-06-08. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  2. "2013 election results". Washington Secretary of State. 2013-11-06. Retrieved 2013-11-06.
  3. "Dansel to serve in both Republic and Olympia". omakchronicle.com. December 17, 2013. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  4. "Dansel Resignation" (PDF). seattletimes.com. January 24, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  5. Jenkins, Don (6 November 2017). "Ex-senator returns to head USDA office in Spokane". Capital Press. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  6. https://www.ferry-county.com/government/board_of_commissioners/index.php
  7. Adopted Legislative District 7 (PDF) (Map). Washington State Redistricting Commission. 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  8. Johnson, Natalie (October 6, 2021). "New maps could change Okanogan County leadership". Methow Valley News. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  9. "November 5, 2013 General Election, Legislative District 07". Office of the Secretary of State. 2013-11-26.
  10. "WEA Voters' Guide". Washington Education Association. 2013-06-08.
  11. "Washington state GOP endorses Brian Dansel for Congress". The Spokesman-Review. 2024-04-19.
  12. "In Washington Senate 7th District race, mud and money fly". The Spokesman-Review. 2013-10-27. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  13. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/feb/10/who-is-running-for-mcmorris-rodgers-open-seat-and-/
  14. "Washington state GOP endorses Brian Dansel for Congress". The Spokesman-Review. 2024-04-19.
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