GOP candidate Semi Bird vows to join WA governor race today

KENNEWICK — Tri-Cities Democrats are doing some political jockeying to flip a county commission seat, and a Tri-Cities candidate for Washington governor says he plans to file Friday.

The Thursday developments come as the list of candidates running for election in 2024 nears completion.

Candidates running for federal, state and county offices this year have until 5 p.m. today to file paperwork with the Washington Secretary of State’s Office to get on the ballot.

Races need at least three candidates to qualify for the Aug. 6 primary election. If two or fewer register, then the candidates automatically move on to the Nov. 5 general election.

In the race for Washington governor, rumors had been swirling about why Richland Republican Semi Bird had yet to register to run in the race. Last month, he earned the sole endorsement of delegates at the Washington State Republican Party Convention.

On Thursday, Bird’s campaign announced plans to gather Friday morning at the Benton County Voting Center in Richland to see the first Black candidate file in-person as a Republican gubernatorial candidate and “witness a historic moment in our state history.”

Once filed, Bird will face off against Democrat Bob Ferguson, the state attorney general, and Republican Dave Reichert in August in the open race to succeed Gov. Jay Inslee.

A number of candidates have filed to challenge longtime Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell:

Maria Cantwell, Democrat, incumbent

Chuck Jackson, Independent

Paul L. Giesick, Democrat

Dr. Raul Garcia, Republican

Henry C. Dennison, Socialist Workers

David Titon, Nonpartisan

Mel Ram, Republican

Scott Nazarino, Republican

Thor Amundson, Independent