Rod Chandler

Rod Chandler
Rod Chandler
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives; from Washington's 8th district
	In office; January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1993
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Jennifer Dunn
Member of the Washington House of Representatives; from the 45th district
	In office; January 13, 1975 – January 3, 1983
Preceded by	Alan Bluechel
Succeeded by	John W. Betrozoff
Personal details
Born	Rodney Dennis Chandler; July 13, 1942 (age 83); La Grande, Oregon, U.S.
Party	Republican
Spouse	Joyce Chandler
Children	2
Education	Eastern Oregon University (BS); University of Nevada, Las Vegas (MEd)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1959–1964
Unit	Oregon Army National Guard
	Show more

Rodney Dennis Chandler (born July 13, 1942) is an American politician and journalist who served five terms as a U.S. representative from Washington from 1983 to 1993.

He is the great-great-grandnephew of long-time U.S. Senator Zachariah Chandler of Michigan.

Early career

Rod Chandler received a B.S. from Eastern Oregon College and a M.Ed. from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Before entering politics, Chandler worked as a television news correspondent and a public relations consultant.

Political career

State legislature

He was elected to the Washington House of Representatives in 1974.

Congress

In 1982 he was elected as a Republican to the 98th Congress, representing the newly created 8th congressional district. In that race, he defeated Democratic candidate Beth Bland by a margin of 57% to 43%.^[1] He held the seat for five terms, until he gave up his seat for an unsuccessful candidacy for the United States Senate.

In 1989 Chandler revealed publicly that he is a recovering alcoholic.^[2]

Senate campaign

In 1992, one of Washington’s U.S. Senate seats came open when the incumbent, Brock Adams, announced his retirement amidst a personal scandal.^[3] Democratic state Senator Patty Murray won the Democratic primary and faced Chandler in the general election. For much of the race, Chandler seemed to have the upper hand, but during a debate in the later stages of the campaign he inexplicably responded to Murray's criticism for spending $120,000 on congressional mailings during an economic recession by quoting the Roger Miller song "Dang Me".^[4] By association, Chandler was further damaged by the unpopularity in the Pacific Northwest of incumbent President George H. W. Bush, who was largely blamed for the recession.

Later career

Chandler taught Advanced Placement Government classes at Eaglecrest High School in Centennial, Colorado until the end of the 2006–07 school year.

Chandler endorsed Democrat Joe Biden during the 2020 United States presidential election, wanting to prevent the re-election of President Donald Trump.^[5] Chandler was one of 12 former Republican U.S. Representatives who filed an amicus brief in Trump v. Anderson, supporting the Colorado Supreme Court's decision to disqualify former President Donald Trump as a candidate in the 2024 Presidential Election. ^[6]

Chandler is a member of the ReFormers Caucus of Issue One.^[7]

Electoral history

U.S. Senator, Class 3, from Washington, 1992 General Election^[8]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Patty Murray	1,197,973	53.99
	Republican	Rod Chandler	1,020,829	46.01

U.S. Senator, Class 3, from Washington, 1992 Republican Primary Election^[9]
	Candidate	Votes	%
Republican	Rod Chandler	228,083	42.10
Republican	Leo K. Thorsness	185,498	34.24
Republican	Tim Hill	128,232	23.67

U.S. Representative from Washington's 8th congressional district, 1990 General Election^[10]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rod Chandler (incumbent)	96,323	56.21	−14.66
	Democratic	David E. Giles	75,031	43.79

U.S. Representative from Washington's 8th congressional district, 1990 Republican Primary Election^[11]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rod Chandler (incumbent)	36,551	84.51	−15.49
	Republican	Kenneth R. "Ken" Thomasson	6,700	15.49

U.S. Representative from Washington's 8th congressional district, 1988 General Election^[12]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rod Chandler (incumbent)	174,942	70.87	+5.67
	Democratic	Jim Kean	71,920	29.13

U.S. Representative from Washington's 8th congressional district, 1988 Republican Primary Election^[13]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rod Chandler (incumbent)	76,861	100.00	0.00

U.S. Representative from Washington's 8th congressional district, 1986 General Election^[14]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rod Chandler (incumbent)	107,824	65.20	+2.76
	Democratic	David E. Giles	57,545	34.80

U.S. Representative from Washington's 8th congressional district, 1986 Republican Primary Election^[15]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rod Chandler (incumbent)	36,654	100.00	0.00

U.S. Representative from Washington's 8th congressional district, 1984 General Election^[16]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rod Chandler (incumbent)	146,891	62.44	+5.47
	Democratic	Bob Lamson	88,379	37.56

U.S. Representative from Washington's 8th congressional district, 1984 Republican Primary Election^[17]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rod Chandler (incumbent)	56,456	100.00	+59.12

U.S. Representative from Washington's 8th congressional district, 1982 General Election^[18]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rod Chandler	79,209	56.97
	Democratic	Beth Bland	59,824	43.03

U.S. Representative from Washington's 8th congressional district, 1982 Republican Primary Election^[19]
	Candidate	Votes	%
Republican	Rod Chandler	20,374	40.88
Republican	Bob Eberle	15,342	30.78
Republican	Paul Barden	12,477	25.04
Republican	William "Bill" McCallum	1,644	3.30

State Representative from Washington's 45th legislative district, Position 1 - 1980 General Election^[20]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rod Chandler (incumbent)	30,042	74.76	−25.24
	Democratic	R.F. "Dick" Reynolds	10,140	25.24

State Representative from Washington's 45th legislative district, Position 1 - 1980 Republican Primary Election^[21]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rod Chandler (incumbent)	11,188	100.00	0.00

State Representative from Washington's 45th legislative district, Position 1 - 1978 General Election^[22]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rod Chandler (incumbent)	14,138	100.00	+30.04

State Representative from Washington's 45th legislative district, Position 1 - 1978 Republican Primary Election^[23]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rod Chandler (incumbent)	4,704	100.00	0.00

State Representative from Washington's 45th legislative district, Position 1 - 1976 General Election^[24]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rod Chandler (incumbent)	21,573	69.96	+2.09
	Democratic	Bonnie B. Logan	9,263	30.04

State Representative from Washington's 45th legislative district, Position 1 - 1976 Republican Primary Election^[25]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rod Chandler (incumbent)	8,948	100.00	+22.63

State Representative from Washington's 45th legislative district, Position 1 - 1974 General Election^[26]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rod Chandler	11,876	67.87
	Democratic	Ray Freeman	5,623	32.13

State Representative from Washington's 45th legislative district, Position 1 - 1974 Republican Primary Election^[27]
	Candidate	Votes	%
Republican	Rod Chandler	3,928	77.37
Republican	Ella M. Snyder	757	14.91
Republican	L.C. Westburg	392	7.72

References

^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1982 General Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
^ community.seattletimes.nwsource.com
^ Mark Matassa and David Schaefer (March 2, 1992). "Who'll Run for Adams' Seat? -- Scramble on After Senator Withdraws". Seattle Times.
^ Cantwell snubs McGavick on debates By Joel Connelly Seattle Post-Intelligencer
^ Whitman, Christine Todd (September 3, 2020). "Prominent Republicans and Independents, Led by Former Governor Christine Todd Whitman, Launch New Coalition Uniting Conservatives to Take on Trump and Elect Joe Biden". Republicans and Independents for Biden. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
^ "There's one WA Republican willing to fight Trump — but only one". The Seattle Times. 2024-02-07. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
^ "ReFormers Caucus - Issue One". 2023.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1992 General Election Results – U.S. Senator". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1992 Primary Election Results – U.S. Senator". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1990 General Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1990 Primary Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1988 General Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1988 Primary Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1986 General Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1986 Primary Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1984 General Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1984 Primary Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1982 General Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1982 Primary Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1980 General Election Results – State Representative, 45th Legislative District, Position 1". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1980 Primary Election Results – State Representative, 45th Legislative District, Position 1". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1978 General Election Results – State Representative, 45th Legislative District, Position 1". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1978 Primary Election Results – State Representative, 45th Legislative District, Position 1". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1976 General Election Results – State Representative, 45th Legislative District, Position 1". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1976 Primary Election Results – State Representative, 45th Legislative District, Position 1". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1974 General Election Results – State Representative, 45th Legislative District, Position 1". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
^ "Washington Secretary of State, 1974 Primary Election Results – State Representative, 45th Legislative District, Position 1". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

External links

United States Congress. "Rod Chandler (id: C000293)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
Appearances on C-SPAN

U.S. House of Representatives

New constituency

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Washington's 8th congressional district
1983–1993

Succeeded by

Jennifer Dunn

Party political offices

Preceded by

Slade Gorton

Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Washington
(Class 3)
1992

Succeeded by

Linda Smith

U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)

Preceded by

Scott Tipton

as Former U.S. Representative

Order of precedence of the United States
as Former U.S. Representative

Succeeded by

Chris Stewart

as Former U.S. Representative

[1] "Washington Secretary of State, 1982 General Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

[2] unity.seattletimes.nwsource.com

[3] Mark Matassa and David Schaefer (March 2, 1992). "Who'll Run for Adams' Seat? -- Scramble on After Senator Withdraws". Seattle Times.

[4] Cantwell snubs McGavick on debates By Joel Connelly Seattle Post-Intelligencer

[5] Whitman, Christine Todd (September 3, 2020). "Prominent Republicans and Independents, Led by Former Governor Christine Todd Whitman, Launch New Coalition Uniting Conservatives to Take on Trump and Elect Joe Biden". Republicans and Independents for Biden. Retrieved September 3, 2020.

[6] "There's one WA Republican willing to fight Trump — but only one". The Seattle Times. 2024-02-07. Retrieved 2024-02-07.

[7] "ReFormers Caucus - Issue One". 2023.

[8] "Washington Secretary of State, 1992 General Election Results – U.S. Senator". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved September 28, 2015.

[9] "Washington Secretary of State, 1992 Primary Election Results – U.S. Senator". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved September 28, 2015.

[10] "Washington Secretary of State, 1990 General Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

[11] "Washington Secretary of State, 1990 Primary Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

[12] "Washington Secretary of State, 1988 General Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

[13] "Washington Secretary of State, 1988 Primary Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

[14] "Washington Secretary of State, 1986 General Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

[15] "Washington Secretary of State, 1986 Primary Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

[16] "Washington Secretary of State, 1984 General Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

[17] "Washington Secretary of State, 1984 Primary Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

[18] "Washington Secretary of State, 1982 General Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

[19] "Washington Secretary of State, 1982 Primary Election Results – U.S. Representative, 8th District". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

[20] "Washington Secretary of State, 1980 General Election Results – State Representative, 45th Legislative District, Position 1". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

[21] "Washington Secretary of State, 1980 Primary Election Results – State Representative, 45th Legislative District, Position 1". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

[22] "Washington Secretary of State, 1978 General Election Results – State Representative, 45th Legislative District, Position 1". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

[23] "Washington Secretary of State, 1978 Primary Election Results – State Representative, 45th Legislative District, Position 1". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

[24] "Washington Secretary of State, 1976 General Election Results – State Representative, 45th Legislative District, Position 1". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

[25] "Washington Secretary of State, 1976 Primary Election Results – State Representative, 45th Legislative District, Position 1". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

[26] "Washington Secretary of State, 1974 General Election Results – State Representative, 45th Legislative District, Position 1". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

[27] "Washington Secretary of State, 1974 Primary Election Results – State Representative, 45th Legislative District, Position 1". vote.wa.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.

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