SEATTLE -- Congressman Dave Reichert confirmed to KING 5 Tuesday he's the most serious he's ever been about considering a run for governor. No firm decision has been made, yet, but Reichert says he's getting pressure from all corners.
"I'm getting calls from the National Governors Association. I'm getting calls from governors around the country and from other people in the state," said Reichert. "Even Democrats are calling me and telling me that I need to run. I had one Democrat tell me the other day, 'If you don't run, you're really going to be breaking a lot of hearts in this state.'"
Not ruling out a run for reelection to the U.S. House, Reichert said his goal is to "serve where I can make the most impact."
Currently, he serves as a senior member on the Ways and Means Committee and chairs the subcommittee on Select Revenue. He also recently launched a law enforcement task force intended to support improved training for police and better community relations.
"I'm in a position where I know I can help the state of Washington, but also the country," said Reichert, who acknowledged winning a gubernatorial race against a Democratic incumbent would be an uphill battle.
"It's really a roll of the dice," he said. "You've had two great candidates try, come close, and fail," referencing the campaigns of Rob McKenna in 2012 and Dino Rossi in 2004 and 2008.
Reichert wouldn't give a timeline as to when he could make a final decision. However, when asked whether he would resign from Congress to campaign full time as then-Congressman Jay Inslee did ahead of the 2012 election, Reichert said: "I'm not sure I would make same decision. I would try and do the best I could at both jobs, I believe."
The Washington State Democratic Party, meanwhile, is not taking the Reichert's gubernatorial talk too seriously.
"Dave Reichert, despite his decade of voting in lockstep with House Republican leadership, floats his name for statewide higher office every election cycle," said spokesman Jamal Raad.
So far the only declared Republican candidate is Port of Seattle Commissioner Bill Bryant.
