Dave Reichert wants to be state’s ‘servant’ as governor
In his first interview since applying to office on June 30, Reichert said that after leaving Congress in 2019, he was disappointed with what he saw.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Former King County Sheriff and Representative Dave Reichert said he is ready to return to public service as governor of Washington.
“I want to be there as a servant. I want to be a good listener,” says Reichert. “We all say, ‘Government needs to be transparent and open.’ Nobody ever kept their word to that.”
In his first interview since applying to office on June 30, Reichert said after leaving Congress in 2019, he was frustrated with what he saw as partisan and the government becoming too much. power.
Reichert, a Republican who served seven terms as a member of the Washington State Congress, said: “The government should not direct and issue ordinances to its citizens.
Governor Jay Inslee, D-Washington, said in May that he would not seek a fourth term in 2024.
Reichert criticized the policies signed into law by Inslee, who has been in office since 2012.
Reichert, who has worked at the King County Sheriff’s Office for 33 years, said officers can go after suspects who are accused of property crimes like car theft. In 2021, state law limits the pursuit of violent crimes or driving under the influence of cases.
“We have to stop handcuffing our policemen to do their job,” Reichert said.
He says he’s pro-life, but supports women’s right to abortion in cases of incest, rape or if the mother’s life is in danger.
But Reichert said he has no plans to change the state’s existing abortion laws. He said those decisions should be made by voters, not politicians.
“I am not running for governor to seek power,” Reichert said. “What I am trying to do is empower others. And well, the others, are the people of Washington state.”
Reichert said it’s time for the state to try new ideas to help the homeless.
He said he would explore turning the former state prison on McNeil Island and decommissioned Navy ships in Bremerton into shelters.
“You have to innovate and think about how we do this, get things done and act on them? Instead of just twirling our thumbs,” Reichert said. “Seattle has become Gotham City. You know, where’s Batman?”
The last Republican elected governor of Washington was John Spellman in 1980.
