Is 2024 the year Washington Republicans finally reclaim the governor's mansion?
After a 38-year hiatus in Olympia — including a controversial defeat in 2004 following a second recount done by hand — the Republican Party has found a top-tier candidate this cycle: former King County Sheriff and former Congressman Dave Reichert.
Reichert rose to national prominence as the lead detective in the Green River Killer investigation, playing the starring role in the eventual apprehension of serial murderer Gary Ridgway. Ridgway is believed to have murdered at least 71 young women and girls in the Seattle area.
In 1997, Reichert was appointed to the position of King County sheriff. He ran unopposed for a second term in 2001. During his tenure representing Seattle and its inner suburbs, Reichert was awarded a commendation for courage by the Washington attorney general's office, two awards for bravery and the 2004 title of Sheriff of the Year from the National Sheriffs' Association.
In 2004, he was elected to represent Washington's 8th Congressional District in Congress, being one of just 17 House Republicans elected in a district where John Kerry defeated George W. Bush.
Reichert went on to serve seven terms before retiring.
Though no stranger to competition, securing one of the top two spots in the blanket primary will be a challenge.
As Seattle's KIRO 7 reports:
Reichert is now joining a growing field that includes big names such as Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Public Lands Commissioner Hillary Franz, as well as State Senator Mark Mullet — all on the Democratic side.
So far there has not been an official announcement from Reichert but a former Republican candidate for Congress, Jesse Jensen, tweeted this evening, saying he's “incredibly excited to say it's official.”
Richert has been a Republican who has been consistently critical of former president Donald Trump.
During a primary debate in his first congressional campaign, Reichert left the stage after fellow Republican candidates resorted to ad hominem attacks. (RELATED: Trump Claims Ron DeSantis Groomed High Schoolers)
Back in May, Governor Inslee announced he would not be running for a fourth term.
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Hope so Hooray
“Richert has been a Republican who has been consistently critical of former president Donald Trump.” That makes him a RINO and it is not a selling point to me, a born again Christian who loves this country and the Lord. We will not survive as a free nation if a conservative Republican isn’t elected in 2024. Given the choices the Democrat party offers I will vote for Richert as the lesser of 2 evils.