Chaos Sweeps Over State GOP Convention – Reichert Pulls Name from Endorsement Process

On Friday, Republican candidate for Governor Dave Reichert pulled his name from the Washington State GOP Convention’s endorsement process when it descended into chaos. The convention was held at the Spokane Convention Center. State party conventions are meant to unify around chosen candidates and put wind in their sails. This one became a major distraction that ended with no candidate for governor being endorsed.

In a series of fast-rolling developments, a Seattle Times report published a story that was embarrassing to Republican governor candidate Semi Bird. The Times reported Bird pled guilty to a bank larceny charge in 1993 for lying on a credit application. GOP officials responded by disqualifying Bird from the endorsement process. Bird supporters loudly protested, and the party decided to endorse no one. But Bird supporters at the convention, apparently in the majority, voted to restore Bird to the endorsement process, and then Reichert withdrew his name.

Reichert later told KREM-TV Channel 2 in Spokane, “Do I to want to be a part of this chaotic, disjointed, deceptive effort to adjust the whole process to fit a candidate back into a position to run for governor? At some point, you have to make a decision to say, ‘This is crazy. This is not a process that’s not fair.'”

Reichert made it clear in many media interviews that he’s still a Republican, and his campaign website lists a mountain of endorsements by individual Republican officeholders across the state.

Reichert said his overriding purpose is to defeat likely Democrat nominee and current Attorney General Bob Ferguson in November.

Reichert appeared on CNL2 TV in a one-hour interview conducted on Saturday, February 10.