Originally published 9/4/15
Will former Sheriff turned Congressman Dave Reichert (R-8th District) jump into the race for governor?
Rumors intensified this week following a blog entry in the influencial D.C. paper Roll Call, in which his former chief of staff, Mike Shields, was quoted as saying: "This time is the most serious I've ever seen him.
In a phone call with KING 5, Rep. Reichert said, "I'm going through a very thoughtful process as I look at the opportunities and possibilities." However, he said he wants to serve where he has the most impact.
"Where can I best serve and be of service," he's said.
So, far the only declared Republican gubernatorial candidate is Port Commissioner Bill Bryant who announced his candidacy in May.
The other rumored Republican hopeful possibly considering a run is State Senator Andy Hill (R-Redmond). He's avoid answering questions on the subject, so far, but Republican strategist Randy Pepple says don't count him out.
"My gut tells me that Andy Hill, Senator Hill, is going to get into the race," Pepple said.
Pepple ran former AG Rob McKenna's campaign in 2012. When asked about the Reichert rumors, Pepple said Reichert has been mentioned as a possible statewide candidate for the past decade.
"I think that makes sense, because he's run in a very competitive district. He's secured Democrat votes to get elected; that makes him very attractive in a statewide race. But at the end of the day, I think he'll look where he's at now and where he can have impact, and I think he'll stay in Congress," said Pepple.
Reichert just helped launch a congressional law enforcement task force and is a senior member on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.
A decision on whether or not to run is expected in coming weeks, since campaigns must start organizing and fundraising as soon as possible.
In a statement to KING 5 State Republican Party Chair Susan Hutchison wrote:
"People talking about a distinguished Congressman like Dave Reichert as a possible candidate is just another sign that Inslee is extremely vulnerable. Our highest priority in 2016 will be to defeat Inslee and elect a Republican governor. There is great momentum on the Republican side following the 2014 elections, when Republicans flipped five legislative seats from Democrat to Republican - and the Democrats did not flip a single seat."
Washington State Democratic Party spokesman Jamal Raad fired back with the following statement:
"Dave Reichert, despite his decade of voting in lockstep with House Republican leadership, floats his name for statewide higher office every election cycle. These latest rumors cast light on the dissatisfaction Republicans and their leaders have for Bill Bryant's nearly invisible gubernatorial campaign. You don't go into candidate recruitment mode if there's already a strong candidate in the race."
While Republicans have not won the governor's seat in more than three decades, Randy Pepple says he sees a pathway for possibility if Republicans secure key counties outside of King, as well as the eastern part of the state.
"You've got to make sure turnout in east Washington offsets the disadvantage that we have in city of Seattle," said Pepple.
