Dave Reichert will be in Chehalis this Monday, talking to the Conservative Coalition of Lewis County about his candidacy for governor.
Reichert, a Republican, most recently served as a longtime member of Congress representing a swing district. Before that, he was King County sheriff for eight years, part of a 33-year career in law enforcement. He was a two-time recipient of the Medal of Valor Award and was also given the Attorney General’s Award for “courageous action.” He served in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve as a young man.
I’m looking forward to hearing from the former sheriff and congressman. I think he’s a strong candidate for our state’s highest office, and after 40 years of one-party control over the governor’s mansion, I think it’s well past time for a change. Regardless of your political leanings (and I’m not a partisan), I don’t think one-party rule is healthy. It’s time to shake things up, and for the first time in a dozen years we have an open race for governor.
Reichert’s talk will be hosted by the Conservative Coalition of Lewis County, an organization made up of people dedicated to supporting all Republicans, according to Ruth Peterson, a longtime Republican activist and current GOP precinct committee officer.
The doors open at 5 p.m. for Monday’s event, which begins at 6 p.m. at Jester Auto Museum. Political commentator and former television journalist Brandi Kruse will introduce Reichert.
To reserve tickets, contact Peterson at 360-880-4553.
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Reichert is among a number of intriguing candidates for governor.
Semi Bird, 62, is another Republican who has attracted a lot of support in Lewis County. He also has an inspiring biography — born into poverty, he entered the armed forces, where he became a Green Beret and was highly decorated. He went on to serve as senior advisor to the U.S. Ambassador in Bangladesh and on the Richland School Board.
A former Chehalis restaurateur is also running for governor: Laurel Wheat Khan, 63, who battled with the state over Covid restrictions and who lost her liquor license at Mackinaw’s as a result.
On the Democratic side, longtime Attorney General and internationally rated chess master Bob Ferguson, 59, and centrist state senator and business owner Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, 51, are the two most prominent candidates.
I’m thankful that we have several good candidates for Washington state governor. After a few election cycles when the Republican gubernatorial candidate sadly had no real chance of winning for a variety of reasons, I’m personally looking for someone who can compete statewide. Washingtonians deserve a true choice and credible chance to move past one-party control of the governor’s office.
Reichert, 73, a principled conservative who has been elected multiple times in our most populous (and Democratic-leaning) county, seems like he presents a great opportunity and option for Washington. I look forward to learning more on Monday. Perhaps I’ll see you there.
Dad Joke of the Week
Candidates for Washington’s governor walk into a bar.
Bob Ferguson says, “I’ve passed the bar exam.”
Semi Bird says, “I’m raising the bar.”
Dave Reichert says, “Is this a pull-up bar?”
Mark Mullet says, “I’ll take a seat right here in the center.”
Laurel Khan says, “Are they going to pull the liquor license for this bar, too?”
Brian Mittge’s column appears in The Chronicle every Saturday. He can be reached at brianmittge@hotmail.com.
