Dave Reichert facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dave Reichert
Official Portrait, 2007
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington's 8th district
In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2019
Preceded by	Jennifer Dunn
Succeeded by	Kim Schrier
30th Sheriff of King County
In office March 5, 1997 – January 3, 2005
Preceded by	James Montgomery
Succeeded by	Sue Rahr
Personal details
Born	David George Reichert (1950-08-29) August 29, 1950 (age 74) Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Julie Reichert
Children	3
Education	Concordia University, Oregon (AA)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Air Force
Years of service	1971–1976
Unit	U.S. Air Force Reserve

David George Reichert (born August 29, 1950) is an American politician and retired police officer. He was a member of the Republican Party. From 2005 to 2019, he served in the United States House of Representatives for the state of Washington.

Before becoming a politician, Reichert was the sheriff of King County, Washington, from 1997 to 2005. He became well-known for his work on the "Green River Killer" case.

In September 2017, Reichert announced he would not run for re-election to Congress after his seventh term. In 2024, he ran for governor of Washington but lost to Bob Ferguson.

Early Life and Education

Dave Reichert was born in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He was the oldest of seven children. His family moved to Washington in 1951. He grew up in the cities of Renton and Kent.

After graduating from Kent Meridian High School in 1968, he went to Concordia Lutheran College in Portland, Oregon. He played football and earned a degree in social work in 1970.

In 1971, Reichert joined the Air Force Reserves and served for six years.

Career in Law Enforcement

Reichert talks about crime prevention.

Reichert started working for the King County Sheriff's Office in 1972. He was part of a special team, or Task Force, trying to find a criminal known as the "Green River Killer." In 2001, DNA evidence finally helped identify Gary Leon Ridgway as the killer. In 2004, Reichert wrote a book about his experience called Chasing the Devil: My Twenty-Year Quest to Capture the Green River Killer.

Early in his career, Reichert was seriously injured while responding to a call. He was trying to protect a woman from her husband. The man attacked Reichert, but Reichert was able to save the woman. For his bravery, he received one of his two Medals of Valor.

In 1997, Reichert was appointed Sheriff of King County. He was re-elected in 2001. He also served as president of the Washington State Sheriffs Association. In 2004, he was named Sheriff of the Year by the National Sheriffs' Association.

Time in the U.S. House of Representatives

Dave Reichert (left) discusses port security in 2005.

In 2004, Reichert was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He served the 8th district of Washington for seven terms, from 2005 to 2019.

Committee Work

As a congressman, Reichert was part of the Committee on Ways and Means. This important committee works on laws about taxes and government spending. He was the chairman of a smaller group within the committee called the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures.

Political Views

Reichert was known as a moderate Republican. A study by The Lugar Center ranked him as one of the most bipartisan members of Congress, meaning he often worked with members of the Democratic Party.

Budget and Spending

Reichert voted for laws that aimed to control government spending. He supported the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act and the Budget Control Act of 2011. These acts required Congress to pass a balanced budget amendment before raising the country's borrowing limit.

Civil Rights

Reichert was one of 15 Republicans who voted to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," a policy that banned openly gay people from serving in the military.

In 2017, he supported an executive order that temporarily stopped people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. He said his main job was to protect American families.

Health Care

Reichert wanted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. However, he was one of only 20 Republicans who voted against a replacement plan called the American Health Care Act of 2017.

LGBT Rights

Reichert has said he believes marriage is between a man and a woman. However, during his 2024 campaign for governor, he stated he would not try to change the laws allowing same-sex marriage. He also said he does not believe transgender women should compete in girls' and women's sports.

Taxes

Reichert signed the "Taxpayer Protection Pledge." This is a promise not to vote for any new taxes or tax increases. He also introduced a bill to permanently change a tax rule for certain types of small businesses.

Personal Life

Reichert is married to his wife, Julie. They live in Kent, Washington, and have three children and six grandchildren.

In 2010, he had emergency surgery after being hit on the head by a tree branch in his backyard.

Electoral History