Amanda Chase
| Amanda Freeman Chase | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Virginia Senate from the 11th district | |
|
Assumed office January 13, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Stephen H. Martin |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Amanda Freeman December 1, 1969 Sheffield, Alabama, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Michael Chase |
| Children | 4 |
| Residence | Midlothian, Virginia |
| Alma mater | Virginia Tech |
| Occupation | Financial Services |
| Religion | Pentecostal |
| Website | www.amandachaseforsenate.com |
Amanda Chase (née Freeman; born December 1, 1969) is an American politician of the Republican Party. She is currently a member of the Senate of Virginia for the 11th District, representing Amelia County, the City of Colonial Heights, and part of Chesterfield County.
Early life and education
Chase was born in Sheffield, Alabama to Dorsey and Tena Freeman. She grew up in the community of Bon Air, Virginia, and attended Chesterfield County Public Schools. After graduating from Monacan High School in 1988, she went on to attend Virginia Tech. In 1992, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, double majoring in Corporate Finance and Business Management.
Professional career
Since June 2013, Chase has worked as an Independent Division Leader with Primerica Financial Services. Prior to that, she served in management roles at First North American National Bank, Signet Bankcard (now Capital One), the Virginia Student Assistance Authorities and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
Political career
Chase first became involved in local politics due to a zoning issue that affected her neighborhood, serving on a steering committee that would ultimately succeed in blocking the proposed zoning change.
She then went on to serve as the Chesterfield County Coordinator for Attorney General candidate Ken Cuccinelli, Deputy Volunteer Coordinator for the McDonnell Inaugural Committee and as Political Director for then-Congressman Eric Cantor (2010) and Randy Forbes (2012). Chase was briefly the Campaign Manager for Congressman Dave Brat following his defeat of Cantor in the 2014 primary.
From 2010 to 2014, Chase ran a campaign management firm that sought to help grassroots conservatives run for office. Her clients included 2010 U.S. Senate Candidate Jamie Radtke, Congressman Randy Forbes (VA-4), 2013 Republican Lt. Governor Candidate Susan Stimpson, 2014 Republican Congressional Candidate Dave Brat (VA-7), the Women for Ken PAC and many other local and state legislators and elected officials.
Campaign for Virginia State Senate
On July 10, 2014, Chase filed to run for the Republican nomination in Virginia's 11th State Senate District. Her challengers were incumbent Senator Stephen H. Martin and businessman Barry Moore. Despite being heavily outspent, she defeated both challengers and went on to face Democrat Wayne Powell in the general election.
At the general election on November 3, 2015, Chase defeated Powell by a wide margin to become the district's Senator-Elect. She assumed office on January 13, 2016.
Election results
-->| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Amanda Chase | 35,147 | 69.39 | |
| Democratic | Wayne Powell | 15,481 | 30.56 | |
| None | Write-In | 24 | 0.05 | |
| Total votes | 50,652 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Amanda Chase | 4,907 | 40.48 | |
| Republican | Stephen H. Martin (incumbent) | 4,238 | 34.96 | |
| Republican | Barry Moore | 2,977 | 24.56 | |
| Total votes | 12,122 | 100 | ||