Issaquah Pediatrician To Challenge Reichert, Releases 'Empty Chair' Ad

ISSAQUAH, WA - Issaquah pediatrician Dr. Kim Schrier launched her bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Issaquah, on Monday with a video attacking Reichert over his unwillingness to hold an in-person town hall meeting in his district. Schrier is at least the sixth local Democrat aiming to take Reichert's seat.

In mid-July, former deputy King County prosecutor Jason Rittereiser announced his intention to run. Also in July, Renton mortgage broker Mona Das announced she would challenge Reichert in 2018. Issaquah Councilman Tola Marts is also planning to run in 2018. Two other Democrats, Tom Cramer and Brian Kostenko, are also stepping up to challenge Reichert.

In her video, Schrier links Reichert to the policies of President Donald Trump and, especially, to the failed bid to repeal and replace Obamacare. Schrier highlights an "empty chair" town hall that Democratic activists set up in Reichert's district.

"Conressmna Reichert couldn't be bothered to show up," she says. "If he won't do the job, it's time for someone new to fill the seat."

Although Reichert has not held any in-person town halls, he has hosted Q&A sessions on Facebook, and he held a "telephone town hall" in March. He has also met with constituents, including activists in the Indivisible groups active in his district.

Schrier is a pediatrician with the Virginia Mason health system and works at the company's medical center in Issaquah.

Reichert has served Western Washington and parts of Eastern Washington in Congress since 2005. Since Trump's election, left-leaning groups have increasingly pressured Reichert to fight against the president's policies. Reichert was one of a handful of House Republicans to vote against the lower chamber's repeal effort in May.

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