Brian Dansel

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Brian Dansel completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dansel's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-220382-2024-07-09\" id=\"heading-bio-220382-2024-07-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-220382-2024-07-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-220382-2024-07-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-220382-2024-07-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-220382-2024-07-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am a proud husband, father of two, and lifelong Eastern Washington native. I am running for Congress because I love Eastern Washington and am concerned by the nonsense we are seeing come out of Washington D.C.\r\n<p>In this race, I am the clear, true and proven America First candidate. Don’t just take my word for it, look at my record. I am the only candidate endorsed by the Washington State Republican Party and the Republican Parties of Spokane, Franklin, and Pend Oreille Counties.\r\n</p><p>As an appointee in President Trump's U.S. Department of Agriculture, I tirelessly fought for our ranchers, farmers, and growers. I also successfully fought to protect private property rights against big government. When I served my neighbors as a State Senator, I was consistently rated one of the most conservative members of the State Senate. I voted against the gas tax increase and sponsored a law allowing rural counties to opt-out of the big government Growth Management Act. As a Ferry County Commissioner, I have a strong record of fighting for rural Eastern Washington.\r\n</p>\nMore than ever, we need a proven conservative to fight for us in Congress. I will stand with President Trump, secure the border, fight inflation, cut wasteful spending, and fully back the blue. I will stand up to special interests and always put the Constitution and Eastern Washington first. If you send me to Congress, I will work tirelessly to deliver real results for the people of Washington's 5th District.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-220382-2024-07-09\" id=\"heading-key-message-220382-2024-07-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-220382-2024-07-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-220382-2024-07-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-220382-2024-07-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-220382-2024-07-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>On day one, I will lead the charge to secure the border. Since President Biden took office, we have seen the situation at our borders turn into a full blown crisis, especially at the southern border. Under the Biden administration, we have seen nearly 2 million illegal immigrants evade border patrol. Border patrol has apprehended hundreds of known gang members and hundreds on the terror watch list. Further, enough fentanyl has been trafficked across the border to kill every American several times over. I will fight to finish the wall, to fully fund the U.S. Border Patrol, and to enforce our immigration laws.</li><li>Over the last four years, working Americans have been crushed by Joe Biden's economy. We have seen the cost of living skyrocket due to out of control spending, overburdensome regulation, and an avalanche of anti-small business policies coming out of Washington D.C. From groceries, to gas, to housing, prices have soared and people in our district have struggled to make ends meet. Small business owners continue to struggle to get ahead. In Congress, I will fight to lower taxes on hard working Americans, slash wasteful spending, cut red tape, and promote policies that allow small businesses to thrive. I will work with President Trump to bring back the historically strong economy we had so that Eastern Washington can prosper.</li><li>In Congress, I will always put Eastern Washington first. I will fight for every man, woman, and child in our district, not for special interests. I got into politics because I saw how much my community was being hurt by out of touch politicians who put their interests over the people they are supposed to represent. I have always voted for what is right for my district, no matter the pressure or what is popular. In the State Senate, I voted against the gas tax increase even as most Republicans voted for it, including one of my opponents. I voted against giving state funded tuition aid to illegal immigrants, even as one of my opponents skipped the vote. I will always listen to my constituents, and will always put people above politics.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-220382-2024-07-09\" id=\"heading1-220382-2024-07-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-220382-2024-07-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-220382-2024-07-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-220382-2024-07-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-220382-2024-07-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAs a former appointee in President Trump's Department of Agriculture, I am very passionate about the issues facing rural Eastern Washington. I am also passionate about securing the border, bringing down the cost of living, supporting law enforcement, cracking down on crime, and supporting our veterans.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-220382-2024-07-09\" id=\"heading2-220382-2024-07-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-220382-2024-07-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-220382-2024-07-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-220382-2024-07-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-220382-2024-07-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am a hardworking principled leader and I always make myself available to hear the concerns of my constituents. If you elect me to Congress, I promise that I will always have an open door to hear your concerns. I will hold town-halls across the district and be sure to visit every corner of the district to talk to voters and local leaders about the issues facing District 5. Further, nobody would work harder to deliver results and make a difference in Congress than I will. I will work tirelessly alongside President Trump to put Eastern Washington First and Make America Great Again.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-220382-2024-07-09\" id=\"heading3-220382-2024-07-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-220382-2024-07-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-220382-2024-07-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-220382-2024-07-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-220382-2024-07-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tIt is important that representatives are not career politicians. I think having real world experience is critically important for being an elected representative. However, it is very beneficial to have a representative with both real world experience and political experience. Having both means the representative has the expertise needed to be effective, but also lets you examine the candidates record when they run for office. Candidates make all sorts of promises and statements on the campaign trail. It is very helpful when you can examine their voting record to see if you can trust them with your vote.<br/><br/>\n<p>I am very proud that I am not a career politician. I was a small business owner in Ferry County before I saw the damage being done to my community by out of touch politicians and I decided to run for office. I am also very proud that I have a rock solid voting record which voters can trust. When I was in the State Senate, I was consistently rated one of the most conservative Senators by CPAC. I authored major legislation which protected the property rights of people living in rural Washington counties. In President Trump's Department of Agriculture, I had a proven record fighting for American farmers, ranchers, growers, and producers. I also had a record defending property rights and cutting wasteful spending. <br/><br/>\n</p>\nThis proven conservative record is why I am the only candidate endorsed by the Washington State Republican Party and the Republican Parties of Spokane, Franklin, and Pend Oreille Counties. I have a record you can trust.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-220382-2024-07-09\" id=\"heading4-220382-2024-07-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-220382-2024-07-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-220382-2024-07-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-220382-2024-07-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-220382-2024-07-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tWashington State Republican Party, Spokane County Republican Party, Franklin County Republican Party, Pend Oreille Republican Party\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nBrian Dansel completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dansel's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I am a proud husband, father of two, and lifelong Eastern Washington native. I am running for Congress because I love Eastern Washington and am concerned by the nonsense we are seeing come out of Washington D.C. In this race, I am the clear, true and proven America First candidate. Don’t just take my word for it, look at my record. I am the only candidate endorsed by the Washington State Republican Party and the Republican Parties of Spokane, Franklin, and Pend Oreille Counties. As an appointee in President Trump's U.S. Department of Agriculture, I tirelessly fought for our ranchers, farmers, and growers. I also successfully fought to protect private property rights against big government. When I served my neighbors as a State Senator, I was consistently rated one of the most conservative members of the State Senate. I voted against the gas tax increase and sponsored a law allowing rural counties to opt-out of the big government Growth Management Act. As a Ferry County Commissioner, I have a strong record of fighting for rural Eastern Washington. More than ever, we need a proven conservative to fight for us in Congress. I will stand with President Trump, secure the border, fight inflation, cut wasteful spending, and fully back the blue. I will stand up to special interests and always put the Constitution and Eastern Washington first. If you send me to Congress, I will work tirelessly to deliver real results for the people of Washington's 5th District. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? On day one, I will lead the charge to secure the border. Since President Biden took office, we have seen the situation at our borders turn into a full blown crisis, especially at the southern border. Under the Biden administration, we have seen nearly 2 million illegal immigrants evade border patrol. Border patrol has apprehended hundreds of known gang members and hundreds on the terror watch list. Further, enough fentanyl has been trafficked across the border to kill every American several times over. I will fight to finish the wall, to fully fund the U.S. Border Patrol, and to enforce our immigration laws. Over the last four years, working Americans have been crushed by Joe Biden's economy. We have seen the cost of living skyrocket due to out of control spending, overburdensome regulation, and an avalanche of anti-small business policies coming out of Washington D.C. From groceries, to gas, to housing, prices have soared and people in our district have struggled to make ends meet. Small business owners continue to struggle to get ahead. In Congress, I will fight to lower taxes on hard working Americans, slash wasteful spending, cut red tape, and promote policies that allow small businesses to thrive. I will work with President Trump to bring back the historically strong economy we had so that Eastern Washington can prosper. In Congress, I will always put Eastern Washington first. I will fight for every man, woman, and child in our district, not for special interests. I got into politics because I saw how much my community was being hurt by out of touch politicians who put their interests over the people they are supposed to represent. I have always voted for what is right for my district, no matter the pressure or what is popular. In the State Senate, I voted against the gas tax increase even as most Republicans voted for it, including one of my opponents. I voted against giving state funded tuition aid to illegal immigrants, even as one of my opponents skipped the vote. I will always listen to my constituents, and will always put people above politics. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? As a former appointee in President Trump's Department of Agriculture, I am very passionate about the issues facing rural Eastern Washington. I am also passionate about securing the border, bringing down the cost of living, supporting law enforcement, cracking down on crime, and supporting our veterans. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? I am a hardworking principled leader and I always make myself available to hear the concerns of my constituents. If you elect me to Congress, I promise that I will always have an open door to hear your concerns. I will hold town-halls across the district and be sure to visit every corner of the district to talk to voters and local leaders about the issues facing District 5. Further, nobody would work harder to deliver results and make a difference in Congress than I will. I will work tirelessly alongside President Trump to put Eastern Washington First and Make America Great Again. Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? It is important that representatives are not career politicians. I think having real world experience is critically important for being an elected representative. However, it is very beneficial to have a representative with both real world experience and political experience. Having both means the representative has the expertise needed to be effective, but also lets you examine the candidates record when they run for office. Candidates make all sorts of promises and statements on the campaign trail. It is very helpful when you can examine their voting record to see if you can trust them with your vote. I am very proud that I am not a career politician. I was a small business owner in Ferry County before I saw the damage being done to my community by out of touch politicians and I decided to run for office. I am also very proud that I have a rock solid voting record which voters can trust. When I was in the State Senate, I was consistently rated one of the most conservative Senators by CPAC. I authored major legislation which protected the property rights of people living in rural Washington counties. In President Trump's Department of Agriculture, I had a proven record fighting for American farmers, ranchers, growers, and producers. I also had a record defending property rights and cutting wasteful spending. This proven conservative record is why I am the only candidate endorsed by the Washington State Republican Party and the Republican Parties of Spokane, Franklin, and Pend Oreille Counties. I have a record you can trust. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? Washington State Republican Party, Spokane County Republican Party, Franklin County Republican Party, Pend Oreille Republican Party\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Dansel’s campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p><big>Proven Leader and People's Advocate</big>\n</p><p>Brian Dansel was born and raised in Republic, Washington, to a contractor and an elementary school secretary. He credits his upbringing in a rural, working-class family as the foundation for his entrance into politics. Having witnessed firsthand how someone with the right character can give voice to many who would otherwise be overlooked by the political process, Dansel was motivated to make a difference.\n</p><p>Elected as Ferry County Commissioner in 2010, Dansel served in that role for a full term until he was elected to the Washington State Senate, representing the 7th Legislative District. A pivotal moment in Dansel’s legislative career was his success in passing a bill that allowed smaller counties the option to opt out of the Growth Management Act. This move protected private property rights for his constituents and showcased his effectiveness as a voice for the people he represents.\n</p><p>In 2017, Dansel was appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as an advisor at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Economic Council. Dansel advocated for policies such as fair trade, increased timber harvest on federal lands, and decentralization of decision-making to the local level. He provided crucial advice on forest plan revisions at the Forest Service and contributed to the development of the 2018 Farm Bill. Subsequently, Dansel was appointed as the State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency, where he tirelessly advocated for ranchers, wheat farmers, crop farmers, fruit growers, and dairy farmers.\n</p><p>One of Dansel’s proudest moments during his tenure was his involvement in saving the LeClerc Creek Grazing Allotment—a multi-generational allotment threatened by federal government plans to repurpose the land, which would have rendered the rancher’s operation obsolete. Dansel intervened and successfully prevented this outcome, demonstrating his commitment to advocating for his constituents’ interests.\n</p><p>Dansel concluded his career in the Trump Administration as the Pacific Northwest Regional Director of the USDA, overseeing three agencies in a six-state region. His approach to this role was distinct—he sought to build a team comprising individuals not solely from government backgrounds but also from the private arena, individuals with deep roots in their communities and a track record of success. Dansel aimed to bridge political divides and deliver optimal results for the people of Washington State’s 5th Congressional District.\n<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_8-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-8\">[8]</a></sup>\n</p>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Brian Dansel's campaign website (2024)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-9\"><a href=\"#cite_note-9\">[9]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>", "answer_text": "Dansel’s campaign website stated the following:\n“ Proven Leader and People's Advocate Brian Dansel was born and raised in Republic, Washington, to a contractor and an elementary school secretary. He credits his upbringing in a rural, working-class family as the foundation for his entrance into politics. Having witnessed firsthand how someone with the right character can give voice to many who would otherwise be overlooked by the political process, Dansel was motivated to make a difference. Elected as Ferry County Commissioner in 2010, Dansel served in that role for a full term until he was elected to the Washington State Senate, representing the 7th Legislative District. A pivotal moment in Dansel’s legislative career was his success in passing a bill that allowed smaller counties the option to opt out of the Growth Management Act. This move protected private property rights for his constituents and showcased his effectiveness as a voice for the people he represents. In 2017, Dansel was appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as an advisor at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Economic Council. Dansel advocated for policies such as fair trade, increased timber harvest on federal lands, and decentralization of decision-making to the local level. He provided crucial advice on forest plan revisions at the Forest Service and contributed to the development of the 2018 Farm Bill. Subsequently, Dansel was appointed as the State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency, where he tirelessly advocated for ranchers, wheat farmers, crop farmers, fruit growers, and dairy farmers. One of Dansel’s proudest moments during his tenure was his involvement in saving the LeClerc Creek Grazing Allotment—a multi-generational allotment threatened by federal government plans to repurpose the land, which would have rendered the rancher’s operation obsolete. Dansel intervened and successfully prevented this outcome, demonstrating his commitment to advocating for his constituents’ interests. Dansel concluded his career in the Trump Administration as the Pacific Northwest Regional Director of the USDA, overseeing three agencies in a six-state region. His approach to this role was distinct—he sought to build a team comprising individuals not solely from government backgrounds but also from the private arena, individuals with deep roots in their communities and a track record of success. Dansel aimed to bridge political divides and deliver optimal results for the people of Washington State’s 5th Congressional District. [8] ” —Brian Dansel's campaign website (2024) [9]"}]