Loren Culp not typical Republican candidate for governor

SPOKANE, Wash. — Loren Culp is not the typical Republican running to become governor of Washington.

Unlike most previous GOP candidates for the state’s top office, Culp, 59, is a first-time politician.

The police chief of the tiny town of Republic in eastern Washington was relatively unknown until he received national attention for saying he wouldn’t enforce a ballot measure approved by voters in 2018 that placed new restrictions on firearms.

Culp has also taken on two-term Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee’s restrictions on public gatherings related to the coronavirus pandemic, hosting large campaign rallies across the state filled with supporters not wearing masks.

KIRO 7 is airing the gubernatorial debate Wednesday at 8 p.m. Watch on air, online, on your streaming device or on the KIRO 7 News App.

Cox Media Group