Chad Magendanz
(pronounced like Häagen-Dazs)
has spent his life serving others – as a Navy veteran, software developer, public school teacher, and state legislator.
Chad has lived in Washington’s ‘5th Legislative District for over 30 years. It’s the place he and his wife proudly call home—where they raised their two sons and where they have become heavily involved in our community and giving back.
His path into public service started when he got involved in the PTA, then served on the Issaquah School Board, including as president. In 2012, Chad was elected to the State House, where he served two terms. He focused on fixing problems, not playing politics, and became known for working across the aisle to get results, especially on education. The Seattle Times praised his “independent thinking” and clear focus on solutions, rather than agendas.
Today, as a full-time computer science teacher, Chad has seen first-hand how rising costs and growing bureaucracy are leading to worse results in our schools—and across state government. Partisan agendas are distracting leaders from the root problems. Chad isn’t running to score political points. He’s running to fix what’s broken.
Biography & Resume
Chad Magendanz built his foundation on service and technical skill. After earning a degree in electrical engineering from Cornell University, Chad chose a path of purpose over comfort and entered active duty in the U.S. Navy. What followed was over a decade of high-stakes leadership beneath the surface of the world’s oceans.
As a nuclear submarine officer, Chad led crews and managed some of the most advanced systems in the military. Serving in the Navy taught him discipline, focus, and how to lead teams in situations where failure was not an option. He left the service with the rank of lieutenant and an unwavering belief in duty, integrity, and mission-first leadership. Those lessons shaped everything that came next.
After the Navy, Chad began a long and successful career at Microsoft, where he worked in software development and program management. He contributed to 16 product releases and was awarded more than 20 patents. This work placed him on the front lines of the technology economy and gave him a clear understanding of what Washington students and workers need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
Chad’s first step into public service began close to home. As a father of two sons attending local schools, he got involved in the PTA and later ran for the Issaquah School Board, where he served as board president. That role deepened his commitment to public education and sparked a broader calling to improve how state government supports students, teachers, and families.
In 2012, voters elected Chad to represent the 5th Legislative District in the Washington State House of Representatives. He served two terms, earning a reputation for thoughtful policy work and the ability to find common ground across party lines. In Olympia, Chad focused on fixing problems, not making headlines.
During his time in the Legislature, Chad helped lead a bipartisan solution to the school funding crisis following the state Supreme Court’s McCleary decision. He championed career and technical education, helped protect and improve charter school options, and passed meaningful reforms related to computer science, teacher recruitment, and cybercrime enforcement. He also authored laws to improve student vision screenings and address barriers facing working professionals who wanted to transition into teaching.
Chad earned praise from education leaders, parents, and independent observers alike, including multiple endorsements from The Seattle Times for his clear focus on solutions over politics.
Today, Chad teaches computer science in the Bellevue School District, bringing decades of real-world experience into the classroom. He also holds a master’s degree in teaching and continues to advocate for policies that strengthen schools from the ground up. Being a teacher has given him an even deeper perspective on how state policy affects local education, from classroom funding to curriculum decisions.
Chad’s life has been defined by service: in uniform, in technology, in the classroom, and in public office. With that experience, he understands what’s at stake and how to get things done. Chad is running for State Senate to return focus to what matters: accountable government, balanced budgets, stronger schools, and safer communities. He’s not new to this work, and he’s not in it for headlines. He’s running to deliver real results for the people of the 5th District.