Raul Garcia steps out of gubernatorial race to make way for former U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert
Republican gubernatorial candidate Dr. Raul Garcia announced Friday that he would end his bid for the position in an act of solidarity to instead make way for fellow Republican Dave Reichert, who formally announced his bid for governor that day.
Reichert, 72, filed campaign paperwork to run as a Republican in the 2024 governor’s race June 30, but made his announcement official Friday with a video posted online. Prior to being elected to Congress in 2004, Reichert served in the Air Force Reserves and served two terms as Sheriff in King County. The Associated Press reported that Reichert was the first detective assigned to nab the Green River Killer who was ultimately arrested and convicted in 2003.
In the video, Reichert said that he was running for governor “to protect the vulnerable, to help small businesses and to keep people safe.”
“I have spent an entire lifetime devoted to those three things and I know I can make a difference. From Day One,” Reichert said. “I believe government should be open and responsive, not pitting one region against another, one generation against another, one family against another.”
Reichert went on to served seven terms in the U.S. House after first defeating Democrat Dave Ross, a KIRO talk show host, in 2004.
Garcia changes course
Meanwhile, Garcia will instead run for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Democrat Maria Cantwell. Cantwell was first elected to the position in 2000.
“We want to unite the party and support each other,” Garcia said in a press release Friday. “Instead of fighting each other, we can work together and build a strong top of the ticket determined to bring solutions for Washington.”
Garcia, a Yakima emergency room physician, said in the statement that Reichert has already endorsed him for Senate. In turn, Garcia has endorsed Reichert.
Garcia was born in Cuba and emigrated to the U.S. when he was 11 years old, according to the news release from his campaign. He is currently the medical director of Toppenish Hospital, south of Yakima.
To promote vaccination in the Latino community, Garcia founded the Partnership for Food Security in 2020.
“I’m not a politician, I’m going to be a present Senator for Washington,” continued Garcia in the news release. “I bring my background as a scientist and a doctor to resolve the root of the problem instead of just putting Bandaids on things. I will be a present U.S. Senator who truly listens and will bring solutions instead of politics to the office. Together we can bring health, effective leadership, and unity to Washington.”
What about Semi Bird?
Garcia’s decision is putting heat on Republican gubernatorial candidate Semi Bird of the Tri-Cities. Bird is a behavioral scientist and decorated retired U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret with 24 years military service.
Bird characterizes himself as an anti-establishment “constitutional Christian conservative,” but the only public office he’s held has been the last 19 months on the Richland School Board.
But he could be kicked out early from that seat. On Aug. 1, voters in the Richland School District will decide whether or not Bird and two of his peers should be removed from office over a vote they took in February 2022 to go against Washington’s indoor mask mandate.
Bird is currently the financial front runner among Republicans, having netted roughly $116,000 in contributions over the last seven months by crisscrossing the state to speak at holiday gatherings, campaign events and Lincoln Day dinners.
Bird chairs the Benton County Republican Party, which met Thursday night and voted to officially endorse him for governor. Benton County is the fifth county so far to back him.
He intends to stay in the race.
“Semi Bird’s candidacy signifies a departure from the status quo and a rejection of traditional politics,” said Corey Gibson, Bird’s campaign communications director, in a statement. “His unwavering commitment to the people’s concerns and his refusal to be beholden to establishment figures resonates deeply with Washingtonians yearning for authentic representation.”
After news broke June 30 that Reichert had filed his paperwork, Bird’s campaign published a post on Facebook with an image urging candidates to unite behind him.
The Democratic race
Gov. Jay Inslee announced in April that he would not seek a fourth term as governor.
Since then, prominent Democrats such as Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Sen. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, and Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz have announced that they will run.
“As a congressman, Dave Reichert voted in line with Trump 92.5 percent of the time. I don’t think that kind of right-wing record is what Washington voters are looking for,” Franz said in a news release Friday after Reichert’s announcement. “More so, Dave Reichert has repeatedly taken extremist anti-choice positions throughout his long career in politics, including voting to criminalize abortion.
“As the only woman running for governor of either party, I am the only candidate who intimately and personally understands this issue.”
A Republican hasn’t been elected governor in nearly 40 years.
Tri-Cities Herald reporter Eric Rosane contributed to this report.
