Doug Richards, South Kitsap Fire and Rescue battalion chief, is
challenging state Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, for his 26th
District legislative seat. His press release follows:
South Kitsap Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Doug Richards has announced his
intent to run for State House of Representatives 26th District Pos. 2 . He
will be running for the seat currently occupied since 2006 by incumbent
Democrat Larry Seaquist of Gig Harbor. Doug was certified as a Republican
candidate Saturday at the Kitsap County Republican Caucus.Doug moved to Port Orchard in 1979 and graduated South Kitsap High School in
1987. He currently lives in the Olalla area with his wife and four
children. After high school he joined the Navy and served on board the USS
Carl Vinson CVN-70 in the Persian Gulf. Upon leaving the Navy, Doug became a
firefighter in the city of SeaTac and then transferred to South Kitsap Fire
Rescue in 1995. Doug holds a Bachelor Degree in Fire Service Administration
from Eastern Oregon University and is the current President of the South
Kitsap Fire Chiefs Union.Asked why he is running for office, Doug says “After 22 years of service to
my country and community, I want to take my integrity, leadership, and
service to Olympia. With a budget deficit and rising unemployment,
Washington has an emergency. My community has trusted me to help when they
dial 911, now its time to answer the alarm again.”Doug will be holding a Campaign Kickoff on April 16th in Gig Harbor. You can
find more out about him and his campaign at HYPERLINK
“http://www.dougrichards2010.com” www.dougrichards2010.com.
Doug is a nice guy. I met him this weekend and was impressed with what he had to say so far. I am looking forward to sitting down with him in the next couple of months and extensively discussing local and state education issues.
I wonder if he will keep a position in the SKFD? Democrats and Republicans have whined how Tim Sheldon holds two elected positions. SKFD Battalion Chief may not be elected, but will there be a feeling of “conflict of interest” in this as much as some say Senator Sheldon supposedly faces? Curious. I will not get to vote one way or another for someone in the 26th District, but I do get to vote for items the SKFD holds elections for. It should be an interesting election and campaign. I hope the 35th Districts is as interesting.
Roger Gay
South Kitsap