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Dave Reichert
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Washington's 8th district
In office
January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2019
Preceded byJennifer Dunn
Succeeded byKim Schrier
30th Sheriff of King County
In office
March 5, 1997 – January 3, 2005
Preceded byJames Montgomery
Succeeded bySue Rahr
Personal details
Born
David George Reichert

(1950-08-29) August 29, 1950 (age 74)
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJulie Reichert
Children3
EducationConcordia University, Oregon (AA)
WebsiteCampaign website
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Air Force
Years of service1971–1976
UnitU.S. Air Force Reserve

David George Reichert (/ˈraɪkərt/ RY-kərt; born August 29, 1950) is an American retired police officer and politician who served as the U.S. representative for Washington's 8th congressional district from 2005 to 2019. A moderate member of the Republican Party, he served as the sheriff of King County, Washington, from 1997 to 2005.

In September 2017, Reichert announced he would retire from Congress after his seventh term.[1]

Reichert unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2024, losing to Democrat Bob Ferguson.[2][3][4][5]

Early life, education, and military career

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Reichert was born in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, the son of Marlys Ann (née Troeger) and George F. Reichert.[6] He is the eldest of seven children and a grandson of the town marshal.[7] His family moved to Washington in 1951, living first in Renton, then later moving to Kent, where he attended Kent Meridian High School. In 1968, he graduated and went to Concordia Lutheran College in Portland, Oregon on a partial football scholarship. He earned an Associate of Arts degree in social work in 1970.[8]

In 1971 he joined the Air Force Reserves' 939th Military Airlift Group. He saw active duty for six months and served until 1976.[9]

Law enforcement career

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Reichert talks about crime prevention

Reichert began serving with the King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) in 1972.[10] He was a member of the Green River Task Force, formed to track down the "Green River killer". In 1984, he and fellow King County homicide detective Robert Keppel met with incarcerated serial killer Ted Bundy to form a psychological profile of the Green River killer.[11] In 2001, DNA evidence identified Gary Leon Ridgway as the Green River killer.[10] In 2004, Reichert published the memoir Chasing the Devil: My Twenty-Year Quest to Capture the Green River Killer.[12]

In 1971, during his second year in law enforcement, Reichert responded to a domestic violence call in which a knife-wielding man was attempting to kill his wife. The man attacked Reichert and slit his throat, which required stitches and surgery.[13] In an interview, Reichert said of the incident, "I was able to save [the wife], and we got into a scuffle and fell over a coffee table in the living room, and he slit my throat with a butcher knife, ending up with forty-five stitches in my neck."[14] He was awarded with one of his two Medals of Valor for his bravery.

In 1997, he was appointed sheriff of King County, Washington, by King County Executive Ron Sims.[10] In 2001, he ran unopposed for a second four-year term.[15]

Reichert served as president of the Washington State Sheriffs Association.[7] He was an executive board member of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.[7]

In 2004 Reichert won the 2004 National Sheriffs' Association's Sheriff of the Year award, two valor awards, and the Washington State attorney general's award for courageous action.[7]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Elections

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2004

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Main article: 2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington § District 8

In 2004, Reichert ran for Congress. He bowed out of the Republican primary debate, however, because two other candidates had run ads critical of him.[16][17]

He defeated his Democratic opponent, KIRO talk show host Dave Ross, in the 2004 election, 52% to 47%. He succeeded retiring Republican Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn.

At the same time, the Democratic presidential nominee, Senator John Kerry won, 51% to 48%, against President George W. Bush in the 8th district. That made Reichert one of just 17 House Republicans[citation needed] elected in a district that also voted for the Democratic candidate for the presidency.[18]

ARMPAC, a political action committee of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, donated $20,000 to his election campaign.[19][20]

2006

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Main article: 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington § District 8

He faced Democratic candidate Darcy Burner in November 2006; he was re-elected with 51% of the vote.[21]

2008

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Main article: 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington § District 8

In a repeat of the 2006 election matchup, he faced Democratic candidate Darcy Burner. He won the general election with 53% of the vote to Burner's 47%.[22]

2010

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Main article: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington § District 8

He was challenged by Democratic candidate Suzan DelBene. [23] He won re-election with 52% of the vote.[citation needed]

2012

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Main article: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington § District 8

He was challenged by Democratic candidate Karen Porterfield, and won with almost 60% of the vote.[24]

2014

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Main article: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington § District 8

He was challenged by Democratic candidate Jason Ritchie, and won with 63% of the vote.[25]

2016

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Main article: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington § District 8

He was challenged by Democratic candidate Tony Ventrella, and won with 60% of the vote.[26]

Committee assignments

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Dave Reichert (left) discusses port security, 2005

Caucus memberships

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Political positions

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Reichert was a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership.[34] He was ranked as the 21st most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 114th congress by The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy.[35]

Abortion

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Reichert has opposed abortion during his congressional career.[36] He voted repeatedly for bills to restrict abortions after 20 weeks.[37] During the 2024 gubernatorial campaign, Reichert has attempted to soften his prior views on abortion and has said he will uphold current abortion laws if elected.[36][38]

Budget, debt, and spending

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Reichert was not present for the vote on then-House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan's 2012 budget, which Ryan dubbed "The Path to Prosperity";[39] Reichert had intended to vote in favor of it, but was called away to Washington state following the death of his mother.[40] However, he did vote for the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act[41] and the Budget Control Act of 2011.[42] Both acts required Congress to pass a balanced budget amendment prior to raising the United States debt ceiling. This was supported primarily by Republicans and opposed by Democrats.[43] In the final vote to lift the debt ceiling, until 2013, he voted with the Republican majority in favor.[44]

Civil rights

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Reichert was one of 15 Republican House members to vote in favor of repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", the ban on openly gay military service personnel.[45][46]

In 2017, Reichert declared his support for Executive Order 13769, which imposed a temporary ban on citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries entering the U.S. He stated that "My first and most important job is protecting families in our region and the American people ... We must be absolutely certain we have systems in place capable of thoroughly vetting anyone applying for refugee status on American soil."[47]

Crime

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Reichert supported reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.[48]

He was the main sponsor of the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Improving Opportunities for Youth in Foster Care Act, a bill which would require states to take action to address the problem of sex trafficking of children in the foster care system.[49][50]

Drug reform

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On March 4, 2014, Reichert introduced the Preserving Welfare for Needs Not Weed Act (H.R. 4137; 113th Congress), a bill that would prevent the use of electronic benefit transfer cards in businesses that sell marijuana.[51]

Health care

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Reichert favored repealing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).[52][53] Reichert was one of only 20 Republicans to vote against the American Health Care Act of 2017 (also known as Trumpcare).[54]

LGBT rights

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Reichert has voiced personal opposition to same-sex marriage, saying in 2024 that "marriage is between a man and a woman".[55][56] He stated that he doesn't intend to restrict same-sex marriage if elected governor during the 2024 gubernatorial election.[56]

He has also made critical remarks towards transgender people, once responding to a question that asked what defines "a woman" saying that "There’s only man and woman. I was raised with that as a Christian. And marriage is between a man and a woman."[55] Reichert has also said that "I don’t believe that transgender men should be competing against girls and women in sports."[55]

Presidential tax returns

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In February 2017, while serving on the Ways and Means Committee, he voted against a measure that would have led to a request of the Treasury Department for President Donald Trump's tax returns.[57]

Taxation

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Reichert had signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge by the Americans for Tax Reform, a group run by Grover Norquist.[58] The pledge commits the signer to oppose any legislation that raises taxes or eliminates tax deductions. On August 1, 2012, he also voted to extend the Bush tax cuts.[citation needed]

On April 10, 2014, Reichert introduced the Permanent S Corporation Built-in Gains Recognition Period Act of 2014 (H.R. 4453; 113th Congress), a bill that would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reduce from 10 to 5 years the period during which the built-in gains of an S corporation are subject to tax and to make such reduction permanent.[59][60]

Personal life

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He is married to Julie, whom he met in college. They live in Kent and have three grown children: Angela, Tabitha, and Daniel, and six grandchildren.[61] He is a member of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.[62] He is of German descent.

In 2010, following an injury he sustained from being hit in the head by a tree branch while chopping firewood in his backyard, he developed a subdural hematoma requiring emergency surgery.[63]

Electoral history

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Date Position Status Opponent Result Vote share Top-opponent vote share
1997 County sheriff Appointed[10]
2001 County sheriff Incumbent Ran unopposed Elected 100%[64] N/A
2004 U.S. Representative Open-seat primary Diane Tebelius (R), Luke Esser (R), Conrad Lee (R) Nominated 45%[65] 22% (Tebelius)
2004 U.S. Representative Open-seat Dave Ross (D) Elected 52%[66] 47%
2006 U.S. Representative Incumbent Darcy Burner (D) Re-elected 51%[67] 49%
2008 U.S. Representative Incumbent Darcy Burner (D) Re-elected 53%[68] 47%
2010 U.S. Representative Incumbent Suzan DelBene (D) Re-elected 52%[69] 48%
2012 U.S. Representative Incumbent Karen Porterfield (D) Re-elected 60%[70] 40%
2014 U.S. Representative Incumbent Jason Ritchie (D) Re-elected 63%[25] 37%
2016 U.S. Representative Incumbent Tony Ventrella (D) Re-elected 60%[71] 40%

References

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  1. ^ David Weigel (September 6, 2017). "Dave Reichert, a swing seat Republican, will retire from the House". Washington Post.
  2. ^ "Dave Reichert files for 2024 governor's race". July 2023.
  3. ^ "Republicans may have front-runner as Dave Reichert files for 2024 governor's race". July 2023.
  4. ^ Wixey, Will (August 6, 2024). "Ferguson, Reichert win primary race for WA governor". FOX 13 Seattle. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  5. ^ Cornfield, Jerry (November 6, 2024). "Ferguson defeats Reichert in Washington governor's race". Washington State Standard. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  6. ^ "Dave Reichert Elected U.S. Representative District 8 Washington". vote-wa.org. Archived from the original on April 26, 2009. Retrieved August 8, 2007.
  7. ^ a b c d "Congressman Dave Reichert". U.S. House. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  8. ^ "Seattle P-I, LWV Voter's Guide – Dave Reichert". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
  9. ^ "Nine New Veterans Join Congress". Veterans of Foreign Wars. Archived from the original on August 14, 2007.
  10. ^ a b c d "Sims appoints police professional as new King County Sheriff". King County, Washington. March 5, 1997. Archived from the original on October 1, 2000.
  11. ^ Whitely, Peyton (August 7, 1995). "Ted Bundy Helped Green River Investigation Detective Says Bundy Met With King County Officials Probing Killings". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  12. ^ Reichert, David (2004). Chasing the Devil: My Twenty-Year Quest to Capture the Green River Killer. New York City: Little, Brown and Company. pp. 320. ISBN 978-0316156325. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
  13. ^ Kamb, Lewis (October 5, 2006). "Reichert touts law record, but critics don't see it his way". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  14. ^ Office Space: Dave Reichert's Washington Precinct, December 30, 2015, archived from the original on December 21, 2021, retrieved April 7, 2021
  15. ^ "King County Elections King County Local Voters Pamphlet November 6, 2001 General Election". King County, Washington. 2001. Archived from the original on November 24, 2001.
  16. ^ Cornwall, Warren (September 1, 2004). "Offended by ads, Reichert walks out on forum". Seattle Times.
  17. ^ McGann, Chris (September 1, 2004). "Campaign 2004: Reichert walks out on forum – Citing 'dirty politics,' sheriff refuses to share stage with rivals in race". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
  18. ^ Kapochunas, Rachel (August 1, 2006). "Updated Forecast: Republican Reichert Faces Tougher Fight in Wash". CQ Politics. Archived from the original on August 22, 2006.
  19. ^ Mundy, Alicia (October 6, 2005). "Hastings says ethics panel won't investigate DeLay". Seattle Times.
  20. ^ McGann, Chris (October 9, 2004). "Campaign 2004: DeLay to help Reichert campaign – Democrats label him 'ethically challenged'". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
  21. ^ "Reichert appears headed for victory". The Seattle Times. November 11, 2006. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
  22. ^ "November 4, 2008 General Election". Washington Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 27, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
  23. ^ "Democrats tap DelBene in 8th District congressional race – Bellevue Reporter". Pnwlocalnews.com. February 9, 2010. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  24. ^ Reed, Sam. "Congressional District 8 elections". Washington Secretary of State.
  25. ^ a b "Congressional District 8 elections". Washington Secretary of State.
  26. ^ "Congressional District 8 elections". Washington Secretary of State.
  27. ^ "Rep. Dave Reichert to chair Ways and Means subcommittee on welfare programs".
  28. ^ "Dave Reichert for Congress – Washington's 8th Congressional District". Dave Reichert for Congress. Archived from the original on October 29, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  29. ^ "Members". House Baltic Caucus. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  30. ^ "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  31. ^ "Members". Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  32. ^ "90 Current Climate Solutions Caucus Members". Citizen´s Climate Lobby. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  33. ^ "Members". U.S. - Japan Caucus. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  34. ^ "RMSP Members". Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  35. ^ The Lugar Center - McCourt School Bipartisan Index (PDF), The Lugar Center, March 7, 2016, retrieved April 30, 2017
  36. ^ a b Zodrow, Andru (August 24, 2024). "Donald Trump and Dave Reichert pivot on abortion rights". NonStop Local Tri-Cities/Yakima. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  37. ^ "Reichert works to fend off Democrats' claims he'd try to restrict abortion as governor • Washington State Standard". June 12, 2024.
  38. ^ Nerbovig, Ashley (September 19, 2024). "Six Takeaways from Washington State's Second Governor's Debate". The Stranger. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  39. ^ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 277". Library of Congress. Retrieved July 30, 2011.
  40. ^ "Reichert Statement on 2012 Budget". U.S. House of Representatives. Archived from the original on August 10, 2011. Retrieved July 30, 2011.
  41. ^ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 606". Library of Congress. Retrieved July 30, 2011.
  42. ^ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 677". Library of Congress. Retrieved July 30, 2011.
  43. ^ "How Different Types of Republicans Voted on the Revised Debt Plan". The New York Times. August 1, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  44. ^ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 690". Library of Congress. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  45. ^ Geidner, Chris (December 15, 2010). "House Passes DADT Repeal Bill". Metro Weekly. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013.
  46. ^ "House Vote 638 – Repeals 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'". The New York Times. December 15, 2010. Archived from the original on January 18, 2016.
  47. ^ Blake, Aaron (January 29, 2017). "Coffman, Gardner join Republicans against President Trump's travel ban; here's where the rest stand". Denver Post. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  48. ^ Bendery, Jennifer (December 11, 2012). "Violence Against Women Act: John Boehner, Eric Cantor Pressured By Republicans To Act". Huffington Post.
  49. ^ "Summary of the "Preventing Sex Trafficking and Improving Opportunities for Youth in Foster Care Act"" (PDF) (Press release). House Ways and Means Committee (U.S. Congress). February 14, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 24, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  50. ^ "Reichert, Doggett, Introduce Bill to Prevent Child Sex Trafficking" (Press release). House Ways and Means Committee, Chairman Dave Camp (U.S. Congress). February 14, 2014. Archived from the original on February 24, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  51. ^ Marcos, Cristina (September 16, 2014). "House passes bill to prevent using welfare benefits at marijuana stores". The Hill. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  52. ^ "Rep Reichert: Affordable Care Act Repeal And Replace 'Going To Happen'". Sammamish-Issaquah, WA Patch. February 23, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  53. ^ "Rep. David Reichert votes on Obamacare". HealthReformVotes.org. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  54. ^ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 256". Sammamish-Issaquah, WA Patch. May 24, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  55. ^ a b c Smith, Rich (April 16, 2024). "In Meeting with Republicans, Dave Reichert Denies the Existence of Trans People and Claims "Marriage Is Between a Man and a Woman"". The Stranger. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  56. ^ a b Lindsay, Jeanie (April 17, 2024). "Republicans shrug off anti-LGBT comments from top Washington governor candidate". www.kuow.org. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  57. ^ Friedersdorf, Conor. "These 23 Republicans Passed on a Chance to Get Trump's Tax Returns". The Atlantic. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  58. ^ "The Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers 112th Congressional List". Americans for Tax Reform. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved July 30, 2011.
  59. ^ "H.R. 4453 – Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  60. ^ Marcos, Cristina (June 9, 2014). "This week: Lawmakers to debate appropriations, VA, student loans". The Hill. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  61. ^ "Congressman Dave Reichert". Archived from the original on August 11, 2007.
  62. ^ "Congress includes 19 Lutherans". December 27, 2004. Archived from the original on April 27, 2009.
  63. ^ Hunt, Kasie (October 2, 2010). "Dave Reichert knocks down health rumors". Politico. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  64. ^ "King County Election Results". metrokc.gov. Archived from the original on November 8, 2001. Retrieved August 9, 2007.
  65. ^ "Office - WA Secretary of State". www.sos.wa.gov.
  66. ^ "Elections 2004 – U.S. House – Washington District 8". The Washington Post.
  67. ^ Andrew Villeneuve (July 13, 2010). "Delbene strikes clear contrast with incumbent Reichert in 8th District".
  68. ^ "Elections 2008 – U.S. House – Washington District 8". CNN.
  69. ^ "Election 2010, Washington". The New York Times. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  70. ^ Reed, Sam. "Congressional District 8 elections". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  71. ^ "Congressional District 8". results.vote.wa.gov. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
[edit]
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Political offices
Preceded by
James Montgomery
 Sheriff of King County
1997–2005 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Washington's 8th congressional district
2005–2019 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by
Loren Culp
 Republican nominee for Governor of Washington
2024 		Most recent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative 		Succeeded byas Former US Representative
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