Wednesday afternoon, February 28th, 5th District State Representative (R) Jay Rodne announced he will not be seeking
re-election. He stated he will continue to serve 5th district residents until his term expires at the end of 2018.
Rep. Rodne has served since 2004. He said the decision was made after a lot of thought and discussion with his family. Via Facebook he said he was “looking forward to making this transition to new opportunities, new challenges and new ways to give back.”
On the heels of the announcement, former 5th District State Representative (R) and Issaquah resident Chad Magendanz announced via press release that he would be running for Rodne’s seat. In 2016 Magendanz gave up his seat to challenge Mark Mullet for his 5th District senate seat, but was narrowly defeated.
According to the press release, Magendanz served two terms in the Washington House of Representatives from 2013 to 2016, which comprises the eastern third of King County. He was the ranking Republican on the House Education Committee and a lead negotiator for the McCleary remedy. He was also prime sponsor of the Washington Cybercrime Act in 2016, which gave local law enforcement the tools needed to prosecute and extradite online criminals.
In outlining his main campaign initiatives, Magendanz proposes common sense reforms to improve the quality of public education, attract jobs, protect the environment, and reduce the cost of government.
“In this time of economic challenges, we must make every dollar count. I look forward to returning to Olympia to continue the work that I started in 2012, promoting sensible policies that make thoughtful investments in the future of our state,” Magendanz added.
Magendanz has the endorsement of Rodne and per release said his “campaign has received widespread support from community leaders, elected legislators, education advocates and parents.”
