Local Activist Group Slams Rep. Dave Reichert Over 'Tele Town Hall'

ISSAQUAH, WA - U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, R-8, continues to take fire from constituents over his refusal to hold an in-person town hall meeting - although a Reichert spokesman is reiterating that the congressman is meeting with constituents in small groups around his district.

On Monday, Issaquah's left-leaning Indivisible group put out a press release criticizing a recent town hall Reichert held via phone. Issaquah residents Lindsey Walsh and Chris Petzold said that the tele-town hall Reichert hosted last Thursday suffered from technical problems and that he was unresponsive to their concerns about the proposed repeal of the Affordable Healthcare Act, also called Obamacare.

"It was more like a lecture on the virtues of the Republican plan to repeal the ACA, on which so many people depend for their very lives," the press release read. "A few citizens were able to ask questions during the call, but there was no chance for the dialog or follow up one would expect in a town hall."

Members of Indivisible groups across Reichert's district have been asking for an in-person town hall for months, but Reichert has refused. During a Facebook live town hall in February, Reichert said that other town halls around the country have been out of control. He also cited safety concerns due to threats against his staff, although Issaquah police have no records of such threats, at least since the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

In February, the Indivisible groups hosted an "empty chair" meeting for Reichert in Cashmere. They've also held several protests outside his Issaquah office, and are planning a die-in demonstration Tuesday.

Asked to respond to the complaints about the tele-town hall, Reichert spokesperson Breanna Deutsch said that constituents have more than one way to talk to their congressman.

"Telephone town halls are just one of the many ways Congressman Reichert is keeping in touch with his constituents. He continues to travel to all parts of the district meeting with families and visiting orchards, farms and small businesses," she wrote in an email.

Deutsch also reiterated that Reichert has invited small groups of constituents, including members of local Indivisible groups, to meet with him in his office. Kirby Pollard, a member of the Bonney Lake Indivisible group, told Patch that Reichert met with the group's leader recently.

Deutsch said that Reichert is exploring another possible Facebook live event - and that constituents can sign up for another telephone town hall on Reichert's website.

"We are exploring future dates for more Facebook live forums and encourage anyone who would like to participate in our next telephone town hall to sign up on our website," Deutsch said.

Image via U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert