Dave Reichert

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (August 2007)
This biographical article is written like a résumé. Please help improve it by revising it to be neutral and encyclopedic. (October 2008)
Dave Reichert
Dave Reichert, Official Portrait, 112th Congress.jpg
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 (age 62)
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Julie Reichert
Residence Auburn, Washington
Alma mater Concordia Lutheran College
Religion Lutheran - LCMS
Military service
Service/branch Air Force Reserves
Years of service 1971-1976

David George "Dave" Reichert (pron.: /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.

Contents

Early life, education and career [edit]

Reichert was born in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, the son of Marlys Ann (née Troeger) and George F. Reichert.[1] He is the oldest of seven children, and the grandson of the town marshal.[2] His family moved to Washington State in 1951 living first in Renton, Washington, and later moving to Kent, where he attended Kent Meridian High School. He graduated in 1968 and went on to Concordia Lutheran College in Portland, Oregon on a small football scholarship, where he earned an A.A. in Social Work in 1970.[3][4]

In 1971, he joined the Air Force Reserves's 939th Military Airlift Group. He saw six months of active duty at Lackland AFB, Texas, Chanute AFB, Ill., and McChord AFB, Wash., from 1971 to 1976. [5]

Law enforcement career [edit]

Congressman Dave Reichert

Reichert served with the King County Sheriff's Department beginning in 1972. He was a SWAT Commander, Commander-Hostage Negotiation, Commander-Bomb Disposal Unit, Commander-Traffic Unit, and an Acting Commander-Internal Investigations.[6] Reichert was a member of the Green River Task Force, which was formed to track down the so-called "Green River Killer." Reichert failed to catch him for 18 years, during which more than a dozen murders occurred. DNA evidence eventually identified Gary Leon Ridgway as the Green River Killer in 2001.[6] Ridgway was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the Green River murders.[7]

County Sheriff [edit]

In 1997 he was appointed Sheriff of King County, Washington by King County Executive Ron Sims.[6] In 2001, he ran unopposed for a second four-year term.[8] A widely rebroadcast event during the Seattle World Trade Organization conference and protests showed Sheriff Reichert chasing rioters down 3rd Avenue in Seattle.[9]

Affiliations [edit]

Reichert served as president of the Washington State Sheriffs’ Association.[2]

Reichert is an executive board member of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.[2]

In 2009, Reichert became an Honorary Board Member of the Seattle-based non-profit The Borgen Project, an organization that advocates global poverty legislation.[10]

Reichert was one of the more notable members of the Green River killer task force.

Awards [edit]

Dave Reichert meets with Phil English

Reichert 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]

Publications [edit]

The non-fiction book Chasing the Devil: My Twenty-Year Quest to Capture the Green River Killer, published in July 2004, chronicles his greatest accomplishment as sheriff. ISBN 0-316-15632-9

U.S. House of Representatives [edit]

Eighth Congressional District of Washington

Reichert has been described as a moderate Republican when he co-sponsors legislation[11] and he generally votes with the other members of the Republican party when he is present to vote.[12]

109th Congress [edit]

Official 109th Congressional photo

Reichert was a member of the following committees: House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Intelligence Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment, Subcommittee Management Integration and Oversight, House Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Energy, Subcommittee on Research, Subcommittee on Environment Technology and Standards, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Subcommittee on Highways Transit and Pipelines. In September 2005, he was appointed chairman for the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science and Technology, a subcommittee within the Homeland Security Committee.[13]

110th Congress [edit]

Reichert was a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, the Subcommittee on Border Maritime and Global Counter-terrorism, and the Ranking Minority Member on the Subcommittee on Intelligence Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment. He was a member of the House Committee on Science and Technology. Also, he was a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, with membership on the Subcommittee on Aviation and Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.[14]

111th Congress [edit]

Committee assignments [edit]

Reichert voted against the stimulus and healthcare reform bills. He also was one of eight Republicans to vote for carbon emissions caps. Reichert was one of fifteen Republican House members to vote in favor of repealing the United States military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on openly gay service members.[17][18] Reichert is a member of the centrist Republican Main Street Partnership.[19]

112th Congress [edit]

Balanced-budget amendment and debt-ceiling debate [edit]

Reichert has generally voted with the Republican caucus on issues related to the federal budget, including bills related to the debt ceiling.[12] While he was not present at the vote on the Paul Ryan Budget,[20] he intended to vote for it but was in Washington state for the death of his mother.[21] However, he did vote for the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act[22] and the Budget Control Act of 2011.[23] Both the Budget Control Act of 2011 and Cut, Cap, and Balance Act required Congress to pass a balanced-budget amendment to facilitate raising the United States' debt ceiling. This position was supported primarily by Republicans and opposed by Democrats.[24] In the final vote to lift the debt ceiling until 2013, Reichert voted with the Republican majority to increase the debt limit.[25]

Reichert has signed the Americans for Tax Reform Taxpayer-Protection Pledge advocated by Grover Norquist[26] which commits the signer to vote against any bill that raises taxes or eliminates loopholes in the tax law.

On August 1, 2012, Reichert voted to extend the Bush-era tax breaks for all income levels.

Political campaigns [edit]

2004 [edit]

Reichert as a representative
Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Washington, 2004#Eighth District

In 2004 Reichert ran for Congress. In the Republican primary debate, he walked out due to other Republican primary candidates not adhering to the Republican 11th commandment.[27][28]

Reichert defeated his Democratic opponent, well known KIRO talk show host Dave Ross in the 2004 Congressional elections, 52 percent to 47 percent. He replaced retiring Republican representative Jennifer Dunn. At the same time, Democrat John Kerry won, 51 percent to 48 percent, against President George W. Bush in the 8th district. That made Reichert one of just 17 House Republicans elected in a district that went Democratic for president.[29]

ARMPAC, one of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's political action committees, donated $20,000 to Reichert's election campaign.[30][31] Since DeLay's 2005 indictment then subsequent dismissal[32] of conspiracy charges, some Democrats urged Reichert to return or donate the money but Reichert has not done so.[33]

2006 [edit]

Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Washington, 2006#District 8

Dave Reichert faced Democrat Darcy Burner in November 2006; he was re-elected with 51% of the vote.[34]

2008 [edit]

Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Washington, 2008

In a repeat of the 2006 election matchup, Rep. Dave Reichert faced Democrat Darcy Burner. Dave Reichert won the general election with 53% of the vote to Darcy Burner's 47%.[35]

2010 [edit]

Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Washington, 2010#District 8

Reichert was challenged by Democrat Suzan DelBene. [36] He won re-election with 52% of the vote.

2012 [edit]

Reichert was challenged by Karen Porterfield, and won with almost 60% of the vote. [37]

Electoral history [edit]

Date Position Status Opponent Result Vote share Top-opponent vote share
1997 Sheriff Appointed[6]
2001 Sheriff Incumbent Ran unopposed Elected 100%[38] N/A
2004 U.S. Representative Open-seat primary Diane Tebelius(R), Luke Esser (R), Conrad Lee (R) Nominated 45.34%[39] 22.13% (Tebelius)
2004 U.S. Representative Open-seat Dave Ross (D) Elected 51.50%[40] 46.70%
2006 U.S. Representative Incumbent Darcy Burner (D) Re-elected 51.4%[41] 48.6%
2008 U.S. Representative Incumbent Darcy Burner (D) Re-elected 52.78%[42] 47.22%
2010 U.S. Representative Incumbent Suzan DelBene (D) Re-elected 52.1%[43] 47.9%

Personal life [edit]

Reichert is married to Julie, whom he met in college. Together, the Reicherts currently live in Auburn and have three grown children, Angela, Tabitha, and Daniel, and six grandchildren.[44] Reichert is a Missouri Synod Lutheran.[45]

Following an injury where Reichert was hit in the head with a tree branch, he developed a subdural hematoma and required emergency surgery on March 24, 2010.[46][47] In the October 20, 2010 issue of a liberal Seattle alternative weekly newspaper The Stranger there is a piece speculating that some of Reichert's lapses of memory could be caused by the subdural hematoma.[47]

References [edit]

  1. ^ "Dave Reichert Elected U.S. Representative District 8 Washington". vote-wa.org. 
  2. ^ a b c d "Congressman Dave Richert". U.S. House. 
  3. ^ "Dave George Reichert". NNDB. 
  4. ^ "Seattle P-I, LWV Voter's Guide — Dave Reichert". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 
  5. ^ "Nine New Veterans Join Congress". Veterans of Foreign Wars. 
  6. ^ a b c d "Sims appoints police professional as new King County Sheriff". King County, Washington. 1997-03-05. 
  7. ^ Gene Johnson (2003-12-18). "Ridgway sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole". Seattle Times. 
  8. ^ "King County Elections King County Local Voters Pamphlet November 6, 2001 General Election". King County, Washington. 2001. 
  9. ^ Rick Anderson he (2000-01-12). "Cop on the run". Seattle Weekly. 
  10. ^ Posted by Info (2009-08-18). "The Borgen Project: Congressman Reichert". Borgenproject.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2010-08-29. 
  11. ^ "Gov Track — Dave Reichert, U.S. Representative". 
  12. ^ a b "Members of Congress — David Reichert — Key Votes". Washington Post. 
  13. ^ "Reichert Named Chair of Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee". 2005-09-22. 
  14. ^ "Information on Representative Dave Reichert of Congressional District number 8 of Washington". Visi.com. 
  15. ^ "Reichert Appointed to House Ways and Means Committee". Reichert's Congressional Webpage. Retrieved 2009-04-21. 
  16. ^ "Bio". Reichert's Congressional Webpage. Retrieved 2009-04-21. 
  17. ^ Chris Geidner, House Passes DADT Repeal Bill, Metro Weekly (December 15, 2010).
  18. ^ House Vote 638 - Repeals 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell', New York Times (December 15, 2010).
  19. ^ "RMSP Members". Retrieved June 26, 2012. 
  20. ^ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 277". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2011-07-30. 
  21. ^ "Reichert Statement on 2012 Budget". U.S House of Representatives. Retrieved 2011-07-30. 
  22. ^ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 606". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2011-07-30. 
  23. ^ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 677". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2011-07-30. 
  24. ^ "How Different Types of Republicans Voted on the Revised Debt Plan". New York Times. August 1, 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-01. 
  25. ^ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 690". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2011-08-02. 
  26. ^ "The Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers 112th Congressional List". Americans for Tax Reform. Retrieved 2011-07-30. 
  27. ^ Warren Cornwall (2004-09-01). "Offended by ads, Reichert walks out on forum". Seattle Times. 
  28. ^ Chris McGann (2004-09-01). "Campaign 2004: Reichert walks out on forum — Citing 'dirty politics,' sheriff refuses to share stage with rivals in race". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 
  29. ^ Rachel Kapochunas (2006-08-01). "Updated Forecast: Republican Reichert Faces Tougher Fight in Wash.". CQ Politics. 
  30. ^ Alicia Mundy (2005-10-06). "Hastings says ethics panel won't investigate DeLay". Seattle Times. 
  31. ^ Chris McGann (2004-10-09). "Campaign 2004: DeLay to help Reichert campaign — Democrats label him 'ethically challenged'". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 
  32. ^ http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-12-05-delay-charges_x.htm/.  Missing or empty |title= (help)[dead link]
  33. ^ Toby Chaudhuri (2005-10-27). "Lawmakers with Corrupt Rep. DeLay Funds Asked to Make Charitable Contributions for Hurricane Relief". Common Dreams. 
  34. ^ "Reichert appears headed for victory". The Seattle Times. 2006-11-11. Retrieved 2008-08-12. 
  35. ^ "November 4, 2008 General Election". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved 2008-12-31. 
  36. ^ "Democrats tap DelBene in 8th District congressional race - Bellevue Reporter". Pnwlocalnews.com. 2010-02-09. Retrieved 2010-08-29. 
  37. ^ Reed, Sam. "Congressional District 8 elections". WA STATE SEC OF STATE. 
  38. ^ [1]
  39. ^ "Washington State Primary — September 14, 2004". 
  40. ^ "Elections 2004 — U.S. House — Washington District 8". The Washington Post. 
  41. ^ Andrew Villeneuve (July 13, 2010). "Delbene strikes clear contrast with incumbent Reichert in 8th District". 
  42. ^ "Elections 2008 — U.S. House — Washington District 8". CNN. 
  43. ^ "Election 2010, Washington". The New York Times. Retrieved June 26, 2012. 
  44. ^ "Congressman Dave Reichert". 
  45. ^ "Congress includes 19 Lutherans". 2004-12-27. 
  46. ^ Hunt, Kasie (October 2, 2010). "Dave Reichert knocks down health rumors". Politico. Retrieved 2 October 2010. 
  47. ^ a b "Dave Reichert's Brain". The Stranger. October 20, 2010. 

External links [edit]

Wikisource has original works written by or about:
David George Reichert
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Dave Reichert
Articles
United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Jennifer Dunn		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Washington's 8th congressional district
2005–present		 Incumbent
United States order of precedence
Preceded by
Tom Price
R-Georgia		 United States Representatives by seniority
196th		 Succeeded by
Allyson Schwartz
D-Pennsylvania
Senators
Representatives
(ordered by district)
Other states'
delegations
Authority control
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dave_Reichert&oldid=555695476"