Chad Magendanz is a true moderate,
with a proven track record of putting people over politics.
Chad Magendanz has a proven track record of delivering results—putting kids first, standing up for taxpayers, and building bipartisan coalitions to tackle tough challenges. From fixing education funding to closing the high-tech skills gap, Chad gets things done.
As a former legislator, Issaquah School Board President, Microsoft program manager, and teacher, Chad focuses on practical solutions – putting people and progress before ideology. He’s fixed broken systems before, and he’s ready to do it again.
EDucation
As a public school teacher and former Issaquah School Board President, Chad understands what our classrooms need. Test scores are falling, and students are being left behind. Chad will work across the aisle to turn things around, just as he did with the bipartisan McCleary fix, which increased K-12 funding by 105 percent and lowered school levy tax rates for many families.
When elected, Chad will restore local control over curriculum decisions, expand access to computer science and skilled trades programs, and increase special education funding by fixing the outdated formula that shortchanges high-needs students. He will reduce burdensome state mandates, empower teachers to innovate, and support new graduation pathways that prepare students for both college and career success.
Public safety
Every Washingtonian deserves to feel safe at home and in their community. Chad will prioritize fully funding police and first responders, cracking down on repeat offenders, and ensuring laws are enforced fairly and consistently across the state.
When elected, Chad will increase funding for police academies and officer recruitment, support co-responder teams that pair law enforcement with mental health professionals, and back stronger penalties for fentanyl trafficking and serial property crimes. He will work to ensure victims’ rights are protected and that public safety remains a core responsibility of the state government.
Affordability
The cost of living in Washington has skyrocketed. Families are struggling to afford groceries, gas, and housing, while homeownership is becoming out of reach for many young people. At the same time, Olympia passed the largest tax hike in state history.
When elected, Chad will oppose income and payroll taxes and work to roll back harmful policies that drive up everyday costs. He will introduce targeted tax relief for working families and first-time homebuyers, eliminate unnecessary fees and red tape that inflate housing prices, and bring fiscal discipline back to the budget process. Chad will support economic policies that expand opportunity and make it possible for more people to build a future here in Washington.
Transportation
Commuters in the 5th District know firsthand how dangerous and congested Highway 18 has become. Despite record revenues, the most recent state budget delayed much-needed improvements to this critical route.
When elected, Chad will fight to secure full funding for the Highway 18 expansion and make sure it moves forward without delay. He will prioritize fixing roads, repairing aging bridges, and strengthening infrastructure for storm and disaster resilience. Chad will oppose new tolls and road usage charges that unfairly target working families and commuters. He will support smart transit investments that actually serve the needs of our region and ensure transportation dollars go toward real mobility improvements, not bloated administration.
Energy & Environment
Chad believes protecting our environment is essential to preserving Washington’s way of life. He supports science-based, balanced policies that strengthen both the economy and our natural resources.
When elected, Chad will champion an all of the above energy approach and clean energy innovation that reduces emissions while keeping costs low for working families. He will support investments in hydropower and next-generation nuclear technology, while expanding wildfire prevention through forest thinning, brush clearing, and reforestation. He will protect access to clean water and support local conservation projects that reflect the needs of our communities. Chad will fight back against extreme mandates that increase utility bills or restrict energy choice, and instead promote environmental progress rooted in common sense and accountability.
Government Accountability
Chad believes the government should work for the people, not political insiders or special interests. He believes taxpayers deserve transparency, honesty, and results, not bureaucracy or excuses.
When elected, he will support a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote in the legislature to raise taxes and will advocate for stronger transparency laws so voters know how decisions are made and where their money is going. He will push for independent audits of major agencies and programs, and create a public budget dashboard to make state spending more accessible and understandable.