Dave Reichert enters 2024 race for Washington governor

There is a new Republican candidate for Washington state governor in 2024. Dave Reichert has filed the paperwork.

So far, that's all Reichert has done, officially file as a candidate with the state's Public Disclosure Commission. He registered on Friday, June 30, but as of Monday morning, there has been no official announcement.

Reichert's name is familiar across Washington state. He first came to prominence when he was on the King County Sheriff's task force to bring in the Green River Killer, which led to the arrest of Gary Ridgway in 2001. He was King County Sheriff from 1997 to 2005, after which he ran for Congress as a Republican. He was elected to represent Washington's 8th Congressional District in 2004 (officially starting his term in 2005). After 14 years, he opted not to run again and stepped down in 2019.

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The field of candidates for Washington governor has steadily grown ever since Gov. Jay Inslee announced in May that he would not seek a third term in office. Washington's last Republican governor was John Spellman, who held office from 1981 to 1985.

Other official Republican candidates, so far, include Dr. Raul Garcia of Yakima who ran in the last gubernatorial election, and Richmond School Board member Semi Bird. Other candidates who have officially filed are Chehalis restaurant owner Laurel Kahn, James Daniel, Kristin Schuler, Martin Wheeler, Tony Tasmaly, and Daniel Miller.

Democrats also have a growing list of candidates, including State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz, and State Sen. Mark Mullet.