KENNEWICK — The embattled chairman of the Benton County Republican Party and failed candidate for Washington governor has resigned just two weeks short of the Nov. 5 election.
In a Tuesday letter, Semi Bird wrote that it was time to “give all of my time and energy to my loving family” after serving his country as a U.S. Green Beret and his community in public office.
“I have been a Republican my entire life, but as a constitutional Christian conservative I have come to realize that the Washington State Republican Party not only operates in conflict with much of its own party platform, but also in conflict with many of my personal values as well,” Bird wrote.
Bird served just 20 months as a director on the Richland School Board before being recalled by voters for defying the state’s COVID mask mandate.
And earlier this year, he tried his luck at running for Washington governor after building up a grassroots campaign.
Despite receiving the endorsement of the Washington State Republican Party in April, Bird failed to make it past August’s jungle primary election and blamed the state party for a lack of support.
He previously said that the state party did “everything to participate in the ruination of my life and my family.” But his campaign was also mired over accusations that he had misrepresented his actions and experience to further his military career.
Bird received just 11% of the vote and placed third behind Republican Dave Reichert and Democrat Bob Ferguson, who advanced to the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
Bird’s resignation letter thanked his fellow party members.
State Republican Party Chairman Jim Walsh said later in a statement, “I’ve thanked Semi Bird for service on behalf of the people of Benton County and efforts on behalf of the people of Washington.”
It’s unclear who will succeed Bird as chair of the Benton County Republicans. Most local organizations — both Democrats and Republicans — reorganize leadership and turn over after the general election.
New Republican precinct committee officers elected earlier this year will decide the executive committee’s makeup in December. Until then, Vice Chair Tina Gregory, who serves separately as a member of the Kennewick Planning Commission, will oversee next month’s meeting.
GOP party divided
Bird has been on the outs with a faction of Benton County Republicans in recent months.
In the lead-up to the August primary, two members of his party tried ousting the chairman over an alleged “conflict of interest.”
John Trumbo, a Republican precinct committee officer who also currently serves on the Kennewick City Council, has said the issue stemmed from serving as county chairman at the same time he was running for statewide office.
But only one-third of the precinct officers wanted to discuss the subject at a June meeting, and the topic was dropped.
Then, in October, Trumbo and another precinct officer, Natalie Whitten, were suspended by the executive committee for two months for insubordinate behavior.
Whitten had circulated a letter via email to other Republicans in May listing reasons she believed Bird should step down as party chair.
Whitten wrote that in voting to suspend them, the committee violated their own bylaws and overstepped regular procedures.
Trumbo said their action left the matter completely unresolved.
