Dansel announces congressional candidacy

REPUBLIC - A former state Senator and lifelong Eastern Washington resident is the first to announce his candidacy for the 5th Congressional District seat.

Brian Dansel, 40, R-Republic, announced his candidacy for the seat being vacated by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers at the end of the year.

"I'm running to bring my experience working in local, state and federal government to D.C. to focus on agriculture, economic development and improving our country's stance as a world power," Dansel said.

McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, announced last week that she would not seek re-election as a congresswoman.

Dansel served as the 7th Legislative District Senator before being appointed by President Donald Trump as an adviser to the National Economic Council and the USDA, where he was the Washington state Farm Service Agency executive director.

In 2019, Trump then appointed him to serve as the USDA's Pacific northwest regional director, overseeing three different agencies in a six-state region.

Dansel was born and raised in Republic, and is a lifelong resident of Eastern Washington.

He credits his upbringing in a rural, working-class family as the basis for his desire to engage in the political arena and give a voice to those who otherwise would be overlooked.

Currently serving as a Ferry County commissioner, Dansel enjoys spending time with his wife, Carrie; and their two young sons.

The 5th Congressional District includes Spokane and eastern Adams and Franklin Counties, among others.