Former Sheriff Who Captured the ‘Green River Killer’ Set to Run for Political Office

SEATTLE >> A former sheriff and congressman known for his pivotal role in capturing the notorious “Green River Killer” has officially entered the race to become Washington’s next governor.

Dave Reichert, 72, a former King County Sheriff and U.S. Representative, recently filed campaign paperwork with the state’s Public Disclosure Commission to run as a Republican candidate. This comes as Democratic Governor Jay Inslee, who has served for three terms, has announced that he will not seek re-election.

Although Reichert has not made an official announcement about his campaign, he joins a diverse pool of gubernatorial candidates, including prominent Democrats such as Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Washington Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz. Republican candidates include Yakima doctor Raul Garcia and Richland School Board member Semi Bird.

Reichert’s impressive background includes serving two terms as sheriff and being the lead detective in the Green River killings case, which involved the murders of numerous women. He successfully apprehended Gary Ridgway, known as the “Green River Killer,” who was responsible for the deaths of 49 women. Reichert’s efforts led to Ridgway’s arrest and conviction in 2003.

Ridgway himself claimed to have committed over 71 murders and is now serving a sentence of life without parole.

After his tenure as sheriff, Reichert was elected to Congress in 2004 and served seven terms before retiring in 2019. During his time in Congress, he actively worked on various important issues, including expanding the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, introducing national bills to improve the foster care system, and combating sex trafficking.

The upcoming primary election is scheduled for August 2024, followed by the general election in November.