US Rep. Dave Reichert won’t run for governor

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U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert ended speculation on Friday he would run for governor.

Reichert isn’t the only Republican who passed on a run for the state’s top job this year.

As The Seattle Times points out, “Reichert’s decision follows similar announcements from state Sens. Steve Litzow, R-Mercer Island, and Andy Hill, R-Redmond, who also plan to run for re-election instead of governor.”

The announcement leaves Republican Port of Seattle Commissioner Bill Bryant as the Republican frontrunner.

Democratic incumbent Gov. Jay Inslee plans to run for a second term.

Reichert, a Republican from Auburn, said his time would be better spent representing the 8th Congressional District, saying in a statement “in another Washington where politicians are more interested in fighting each other than fighting for America; where leadership has been in retreat, and courage has been on recess,” according to the Associated Press. 

Lauren Dake

Lauren Dake covers politics for The Columbian. You can reach her at 360-735-4534 or lauren.dake@columbian.com. Follow her on Twitter .

lauren.dake@columbian.com