The Republican candidate, according to his campaign website, is focused on ‘affordable healthcare, public education, environmental protection, and social justice’
Brett Davis
The Center Square Washington
Dr. Raul Garcia announced Friday morning in Seattle that he is a candidate for Washington state governor in 2024.
A Yakima physician who is currently the director of Astria Toppenish Hospital, Garcia ran for governor in 2020 and lost in the primary.
“Washington State is poised for a new beginning with the upcoming governor election in 2024,” his campaign website says. “Raul Garcia has declared his candidacy and promises a powerful, trustworthy, and loyal approach to governing. With 25 years of experience in business, technology, law, and politics he knows how to get things done.”
The Republican candidate, according to his campaign website, is focused on “affordable healthcare, public education, environmental protection, and social justice.”
There is currently no information on the status of Garcia’s campaign funding, per the Public Disclosure Commission.
Garcia emigrated from Cuba as a boy and attended medical school in New York before eventually becoming an emergency room physician in central Washington.
On Thursday, he was in the same room with the man he hopes to replace, Gov. Jay Inslee, during a ceremony where the governor signed Senate Bill 5532 into law.
Per SB 5532, Astria Toppenish Hospital will receive 20% more from current inpatient reimbursement rates and double on outpatient reimbursement rates. The legislation, which goes into effect on July 1, 2024, is meant to focus on services with Medicaid patients to limit costs for the hospital.
Garcia joins two high profile Democrats in the 2024 governor’s race. Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz announced her candidacy on Wednesday. Before that, Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that he had launched an exploratory bid for governor.
At the beginning of the month, Inslee announced he would not be seeking an unprecedented fourth term as Washington’s governor.
This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.
Also read:
- Passage of income tax bill more likely as Gov. Ferguson now says he will sign it
Gov. Bob Ferguson says he will sign a revised income tax proposal targeting earnings above $1 million if the Legislature approves the measure. - Opinion: Many important decisions looming as the 2026 session nears the end
Rep. John Ley outlines budget concerns, energy policy debates and several tax proposals as the 2026 legislative session approaches its final days. - Opinion: 106 striking workers already using unemployment insurance benefits
A Washington Policy Center analyst says the state’s new law allowing striking workers to collect unemployment benefits is already affecting the UI system. - Pro basketball: Vancouver Bears set to debut new name in new league
Vancouver’s professional basketball franchise has rebranded as the Vancouver Bears and will open its season in a new league March 7 at Hudson’s Bay High School. - State basketball quarterfinals: Columbia River Rapids keep dream alive, advance to final four
Columbia River defeated Pullman in the Class 2A state tournament quarterfinals in Yakima to reach the semifinals, while four other Clark County teams fell in their respective state quarterfinal games. - POLL: Who should have the primary say in decisions about a student’s gender identity at school?
Clark County Today is asking readers who should have the primary role in decisions about a student’s gender identity at school. - Opinion: Study shows 2025’s record tax increases reduce Washington’s GDP growth and worker pay
Todd Myers writes that a new economic analysis projects Washington’s 2025 tax increases will slow GDP growth and reduce wages over the next several years.
