Chase running away with 4th Legislative District seat

SPOKANE VALLEY — Liberty state supporters have a new champion in Olympia following yesterday's general election.

Republican Rob Chase of Spokane Valley will be filling the 4th Legislative District seat being vacated by Rep. Matt Shea.

As of the end of ballot counting Nov. 3, Chase had 61% of the vote to Democrat Lance Gurel's 39%, according to the Spokane County Election Office.

Chase is a former Spokane County treasurer and was backed by Rep. Shea.

Liberty state is the most current iteration in Eastern Washington's century-old effort to become an independent state, separate from the 19 counti...