![Semi Bird, who was officially endorsed by the WAGOP at its convention earlier this year, is up against fellow Republican candidate Dave Reichert, a former congressman and former King County sheriff, in the upcoming August primary.](https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-WAGOP-has-no-method-or-mechanism-to-rescind-Semi-Bird-endorsement-750x400.jpg)
Responding to the allegations of party division, Washington State Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh released a statement last week saying the party has investigated the allegations against the gubernatorial candidate
Carleen Johnson
The Center Square Washington
The Washington State Democratic Convention was held in Bellevue over the weekend, with the party adopting resolutions and a progressive platform touted as “rooted in human rights and dignity.”
Stephen Reed, communications director for Washington State Democrats, told The Center Square, “We really saw the unity and strength of the party.”
He went on to say, “More than 1,000 delegates took part. This was the first year we’ve done a hybrid convention where folks could choose to attend in person or participate virtually from their homes.”
For weeks, Evergreen State Democrats have been promoting an agenda of unity, capitalizing on division within the Washington State Republican Party over its endorsement of Semi Bird for governor.
Bird, who was officially endorsed by the Washington State Republican Party at its convention earlier this year, is up against fellow Republican candidate Dave Reichert, a former congressman and former King County sheriff, in the upcoming primary.
Conservative Seattle talk show host Jason Rantz recently published letters pertaining to Bird’s time in the U.S. Army. Those letters include a brigadier general reprimanding Bird for wearing medals he did not earn and submitting false performance evaluation documents.
Those documents may have been illegally released, Bird said.
“I received a call last week that the Department of Defense referred the case to the Army inspector general,” Bird said. “It’s a violation of criminal law.”
Responding to the allegations of party division, Washington State Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh released a statement last week saying the party has investigated the allegations, including contacting and interviewing relevant people, including Bird himself.
Bird told The Center Square he was taken aback to see Walsh release a statement even as the Army is continuing to look into the matter.
“It’s a disappointment that the party would be that reckless to do that and compromise a person’s legal and lawful privacy,” Bird said.
Among the state GOP’s conclusions based on its investigation:
- Bird did wear certain ribbons and badges that were the subject of a 2009 General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMR).
- The 2009 Reprimand memo sent to Bird is real and legitimate.
- Bird’s written response to the 2009 Reprimand memo is also real and legitimate.
- Bird’s claim that the 2009 Reprimand memo and his response were obtained illegally from a restricted personnel file is unresolved.
Walsh told The Center Square that reports of the party rescinding or revoking its endorsement for Bird are entirely untrue.
“There’s no method or mechanism in our bylaws or separate rules for caucuses and conventions to rescind an endorsement or overturn an endorsement,” Walsh explained. “Ultimately it’s voters who will decide and they can take the endorsement into consideration and use that information and make up their minds.”
The final minutes of the Democrats’ convention made clear the party’s visions of unity may be exaggerated, according to Walsh.
He was referring to several resolutions concerning the war in Gaza in the final minutes of the convention, including one that called for an immediate ceasefire and for U.S. aid to Israel to end.
As reported by Seattle Times, not all delegates were in support of the proposals.
“That can lead to hate crimes against Washingtonians of the Jewish faith, while doing little to actually end the conflict 1,000 miles away,” Karol Brown of Bellevue said.
Reed said those resolutions were important.
“It’s what the delegates wanted,” he said. “This document is a testament to our ideals as a party.”
Bird disagreed, saying Washington Democrats are out of touch.
“We have a broken education system, crime is out of control, insurance costs are skyrocketing,” Bird noted.
The primary is Aug. 6. The general election is Nov. 5.
This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.
Also read:
- Details released on June 17 officer-involved shootingThe Southwest Washington Independent Investigative Response Team, led by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, is conducting the Independent Investigation of the Vancouver Police Department’s officer-involved shooting that occurred on June 17.
- Washington energy choice initiative supporters turn in 431,000 voter signaturesBackers of Initiative 2066 turned in more than 431,000 signatures Tuesday to the Secretary of State’s Office with the hope of getting the measure to protect energy choices like natural gas and propane on this November’s ballot.
- County implements warm weather burn ban beginning July 5Starting at 12:01 a.m. Friday (July 5), all land clearing and residential burning in Clark County will be banned until further notice.
- Vancouver officials seeking community input on the budgetThe development of the city of Vancouver’s 2025-2026 biennial budget is underway.
- Road preservation work along Northeast Sunset Falls Road coming in JulyNortheast Sunset Falls Road has been identified as a priority for road preservation treatments. The road provides access to recreation in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
- Firefighters battle stubborn grease fire in Hazel DellFirefighters with Clark County Fire District 6 and Vancouver Fire were called to an early morning blaze at Don Pedro’s Mexican restaurant Tuesday morning on Highway 99 near 63rd Street in Hazel Dell.
- Accessible fishing platform coming to Haapa Boat LaunchClark County Public Works, Parks and Lands is announcing the construction of a new ADA-compliant fishing platform at Haapa Boat Launch Park in Woodland.