Dave Reichert

Dave Reichert
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington's 8th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2005
Preceded by	Jennifer Dunn
Personal details
Born	David George Reichert (1950-08-29) August 29, 1950 Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Julie Reichert
Children	Angela Tabitha Daniel
Alma mater	Concordia University, Oregon
Religion	Lutheranism
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1971–1976
Unit	U.S. Air Force Reserve

David George "Dave" Reichert (/ˈraɪkərt/; born August 29, 1950) is the U.S. Representative for Washington's 8th congressional district, serving since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served as sheriff of King County, Washington.

Early life, education and military career

Reichert was born in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, the son of Marlys Ann (née Troeger) and George F. Reichert.^[1] He is the eldest of seven children and a grandson of the town marshal.^[2] His family moved to Washington State, in 1951, living first in Renton, Washington, 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 modest football scholarship. He earned an Associate of Arts degree in social work, in 1970.^[3]

In 1971, he joined the Air Force Reserves' 939th Military Airlift Group. He saw active duty for six months and served until 1976.^[4]

Law enforcement career

He served with the King County sheriff's department beginning in 1972.^[5] He was a member of the Green River Task Force, formed to track down the so-called "Green River killer." In 2001, DNA evidence identified Gary Leon Ridgway as the Green River killer.^[5] In 2004, he published the autobiography, "Chasing the Devil: My Twenty-Year Quest to Capture the Green River Killer." ^[6]

In 1997, he was appointed sheriff of King County, Washington, by King County executive Ron Sims.^[5] In 2001, he ran unopposed for a second four-year term.^[7] A widely rebroadcast event during the Seattle World Trade Organization conference and protests showed him chasing demonstrators down 3rd Avenue, in Seattle.^[8]

He served as president of the Washington State Sheriffs’ Association.^[2] He was an executive board member of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.^[2] In 2004, he won the 2004 National Sheriffs' Association's Sheriff of the Year award, two valor awards and the Washington State Atty. General's Award for courageous action.^[2]

U.S. House of Representatives

Political campaigns

2004

In 2004, Reichert ran for Congress. In the Republican primary debate, he bowed out, due to other Republican primary candidates not adhering to the so-called Republican 11th commandment.^[9][10]

He defeated his Democratic opponent, KIRO talk show host Dave Ross in the 2004 Congressional elections, 52% to 47%. He replaced retiring Republican representative Jennifer Dunn. At the same time, the Democratic 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 elected in a district that also voted for the Democratic candidate for the presidency.^[11]

ARMPAC, a political action committee of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, donated $20,000 to his election campaign.^[12][13] After the 2005 indictment of DeLay on conspiracy charges, the Campaign for America's Future urged Reichert and others who had received funds, to either return or donate the money. However he declined to do so.^[14]

2006

He faced Democratic candidate Darcy Burner in November 2006; he was re-elected with 51% of the vote.^[15]

2008

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 Darcy Burner's 47%.^[16]

2010

He was challenged by Democratic candidate Suzan DelBene. ^[17] He won re-election with 52% of the vote.

2012

He was challenged by Democratic candidate Karen Porterfield, and won with almost 60% of the vote.^[18]

Committee assignments

Representative Dave Reichert (left)

• Committee on Ways and Means
  • Subcommittee on Trade
  • Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, chair

^{[19] [20]}

Tenure

He voted against the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. He also was one of eight Republicans to vote for carbon emissions caps. He was one of fifteen Republican House members to vote in favor of repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", the ban on openly gay military service personnel.^[21][22]

While he was not present at the vote on the Ryan Budget,^[23] he intended to vote for it but was in Washington state for the death of his mother.^[24] However, he did vote for the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act^[25] and the Budget Control Act of 2011.^[26] 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.^[27] In the final vote to lift the debt ceiling, until 2013, he voted with the Republican majority in favor.^[28]

Reichert has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge by the Americans for Tax Reform, a group run by Grover Norquist.^[29] 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.

Reichert supported reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.^[30]

He is 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 foster care children.^[31][32]

He is a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership.^[33]

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.^[34]

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.^[35][36]

Electoral history

Personal life

He is married to Julie, whom he met in college. They live in Auburn and have three grown children: Angela, Tabitha, and Daniel and six grandchildren.^[44] He is a member of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church.^[45]

In 2009, he became an honorary board member of the Seattle-based non-profit, The Borgen Project, an organization that advocates for global poverty legislation.^[46]

In 2010, he developed a subdural hematoma and required emergency surgery, following an injury he sustained from being hit in the head with a tree branch, while chopping firewood in his backyard.^[47]

References

External links

Wikisource has original works written by or about: David George Reichert

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dave Reichert.

• Congressman Dave Reichert official U.S. House site
• Dave Reichert for Congress
• Dave Reichert at DMOZ
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Profile at Project Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at The Library of Congress
• Capture of The Green River Killer Mini-Series