State Convention designed for early endorsement of candidates

The Clark County Republican Party (CCRP) sent 130 delegates to participate in the Washington State Republican Party (WSRP) State Convention in Spokane last week. They were part of the largest official gathering of Republicans ever, with approximately 1,830 delegates participating. The event was billed as giving the grassroots of the party the ability to vote for candidates for nine statewide offices, the US Senate, and their Congressional representative.

“The 2024 WAGOP State Convention is a real convention – unscripted and unpredictable,” said Chairman Jim Walsh. “It’s the voice of the delegates. They are in charge. They set the rules. They amend the rules. Our goal is to win in November.” 

The convention was held over a month earlier than in the past. The hope was that endorsed candidates would solidify support and non-endorsed candidates would not file to run next month.

During breakout sessions Friday afternoon, Joe Kent received the unanimous endorsement of 3rd Congressional District delegates. Candidate Leslie Lewallen had chosen not to participate.

The main attraction was the race for governor between CCRP endorsed candidate Semi Bird and Dave Reichert.  A series of late developing events resulted in Reichert withdrawing his name from consideration and Bird being endorsed as the Republican candidate for governor. Matt Bumala, CCRP chairman, was integral to the debate and final outcome, preserving the right of convention delegates to vote to support their favored candidate. Both candidates’ names were on the final ballot.

One headline proclaimed “Semi Bird secures historic endorsement from Washington State Republican Party.” Another stated: “‘Deceitful and deceptive’ process marred GOP convention, says candidate Dave Reichert.” The Seattle Times wrote: “Semi Bird supporters beat back WA GOP attempt to stop endorsement vote”.

A Times news story a few days earlier revealed Bird had pleaded guilty to a 1993 misdemeanor charge of falsifying a credit application. That caused the WSRP Candidate Committee, of which Bumala is a member, to reverse their initial finding that both candidates had “passed” their candidate screening. They chose, instead, to seek “no endorsement” in the governor’s race. Bumala told them that would be disastrous, as he voted against the motion in committee deliberations.

On the floor of the convention, there were spirited responses to the report of the committee. Bumala offered an amendment to a motion to “accept” the report, which would have meant no endorsement vote for governor. The Bumala amendment was to use the initial report issued to delegates April 12, and was overwhelmingly approved. This allowed both candidates’ names to be on the ballot.

However Reichert complained about a “flawed” process and withdrew his name from consideration on Thursday, prior to the Friday morning start. One news source reported “Despite assurances from party officials that Bird would be disqualified, Reichert claims the decision was reversed, further eroding his trust in the party’s integrity.”

Clark County delegate Mark Moore doubted Reichert. In a social media post, Moore asked: “After a very successful weekend at the WSRP convention in Spokane, I have many ideas, but just one question – Dave Reichert, who in ”The WSRP leadership assured you Misipati Semi Bird would be disqualified?”

The convention was supposed to start off with speeches from both Bird and Reichert on Friday morning. That didn’t happen due to the last minute changes by the Candidate Committee and Reichert’s withdrawal. On Saturday, prior to the vote, Bird gave a speech that inspired many, highlighting his overcoming huge obstacles in life to take advantage of the American Dream. He admitted he, like all of us, is flawed as a human, but his faith keeps him grounded and moving to serve others.

The delegates embraced Bird with enthusiasm, with 72 percent voting to endorse him as the Republican candidate for governor. This will allow him to use party resources in his campaign to take on the presumed Democrat candidate Bob Ferguson. 

Dr. Raul Garcia was endorsed to take on Maria Cantwell for US Senator, receiving 73 percent of the vote. Pete Serrano and Matt Hawkins were endorsed unanimously for attorney general and auditor, respectively. In a crowded field of four, Dale Whitaker received 64 percent of the vote for secretary of state, and David Olson received 57 percent of the vote for superintendent of public instruction.

Clark County’s Jaime Herrera Beutler lost in her bid for endorsement as Public Lands Commissioner to Sue Pederson, who received 86 percent of the vote. The pro-Trump crowd of delegates had not forgotten her vote to impeach Trump.

The WAGOP Platform was updated for the first time since 2016, as the pandemic lockdown prevented a convention in 2020. There were 18 planks adopted. Additionally, 22 resolutions were enacted as well, further solidifying the Republican position on important issues.

On Thursday afternoon, the WAGOP Executive Board met, followed by the 117 members of the State Committee. The key piece of the meeting was electing a national committeeman and committee woman to represent the state at Republican National Committee (RNC) meetings. 

There were four candidates for committeewoman including Hannah Joy of Skamania County, a current representative of the 3rd Congressional District on the WSRP Executive Board. The final ballot pitted Joy with incumbent Marlene Pfeiffer who won 61-50. A similar vote resulted in King County Chairman Mathew Patrick Thomas being elected committeeman.

Clark County ended up getting four of the state’s 40 delegates to the RNC. Scott Hogg, Marilyn Roggenkamp, Dale Haagen and Matt Bumala were elected as delegates to the July convention in Milwaukee. Dixie McFadden was chosen as an alternate. Don Benton was chosen as one of the state’s 12 electors.

“I was so proud of the Clark County Republican Party, who were the leaders at the convention,” said Hogg. “We have to come together now in order to defeat the Democrats.” He has been appointed to the RNC Platform Committee.

Thursday night after the State Committee meeting, the CCRP hosted a “pre game” Hospitality Suite party. Delegates and many candidates mingled and engaged in more grassroots politics, in preparation for Friday morning’s start. 

Judge Dave Larson is running for the Washington State Supreme Court, in a non-partisan race. He was warmly embraced and received a “recommendation” of support from the delegates.

Delegate Mark Cole labeled the weekend “an exciting event – democracy in action”. Anne O’Neill talked about a Clark County delegate who had just become a citizen last October. “We had the most amazing delegate,” O’Neill said. “She had tears in her eyes. She was so excited to be involved in this process.” 

Eleven-year-old Jackson Bumala got to experience his first political convention. “My favorite part was the fact that they endorsed all my favorite candidates,” he said. “That was the highlight of my weekend.”

Speeches by CCRP endorsed and recommended candidates can be viewed here.