Dave Reichert no longer considering run for governor

SEATTLE, Wash. — Dave Reichert, the former King County Sheriff and U.S. Rep. from the 8th District, is no longer considering a run for Washington governor in 2020, a statement released Tuesday says.

This comes just days after the state GOP said he was considering a run.

Reichert will continue working as vice president at Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs in Tacoma.

"I am honored and humbled to have recently been asked to consider running for Governor in 2020. After much thoughtful prayer and discussion with family and friends, I have decided not to run. I am enjoying my current role at Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs helping Central American countries create missing person databases (through DNA) that will help to identify missing persons and prevent children from being abducted in the deadly world of human trafficking. I am eager to continue that work and save lives. My wife, kids and grandkids have made great sacrifices over my nearly five decades of public servanthood and we are now able to enjoy much quality time with each other.  I'm confident a quality Republican candidate will enter the race and I look forward to the first Republican serving as Governor of this great state since Governor John Spellman in 1985."

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Reichert was King County Sheriff from January 1997 until his swearing in to Congress. In September 2017, Reichert announced he would not seek reelection in 2018.

"I think we finally came to the conclusion that 14 years would be plenty to serve," he said.

In his time as sheriff, Reichert investigated Green River Killer Gary Ridgway. During his final congressional term in 2017, activists staged protests against Reichert for not holding town halls.

The last three-term governor was Republican Dan Evans, now 93, who served from January 1965 to January 1977.

Cox Media Group