As a King County detective, Dave Reichert became lead investigator when the first bodies were found south of Seattle in 1982 in the notorious Green River killer case. Reichert had become King County Sheriff by the time Gary L. Ridgway was finally arrested in late 2001. Ridgway later confessed to killing at least 48 women, as part of a controversial plea bargain approved by flip-flopping King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng, and was spared from the death penalty. He is serving a life sentence without parole.

Now a candidate in the GOP primary race for retiring Jennifer Dunn's 8th District Congressional seat, Sheriff Reichert has penned "Chasing the Devil," his take on the Green River killer case. It will be published by Little, Brown and released next week. The Seattle Times has more:

Reichert's campaign manager, Bruce Boram, acknowledged yesterday that the book — as well as expected book signings and national television appearances — probably will help the campaign. Reichert is scheduled to fly to New York City in early August to be interviewed by CNN and Court TV.

Boram said the timing of the release is coincidental and the decision of the publisher, Little, Brown.

Jim Keough, a local Republican political consultant, said, "One appearance on national TV will provide far more exposure than 20 'coffees' in your district will. He's in a very close race, and his campaign has not been raising a heck of a lot of money, but he doesn't need to.

"He already has high exposure. This will provide additional high exposure, just as the absentee ballots are being mailed out."

Reichert will donate the book proceeds to a non-profit. He squares off against three other contenders in the GOP primary: Conrad Lee, a Bellevue City Councilman; Luke Esser, a state senator; and Diane Tebelius, a former federal prosecutor.

The front-runner for the Democratic nomination is popular radio talk show host Dave Ross.

Cross-posted at Political State Report.

Posted by Matt Rosenberg at July 21, 2004 01:47 PM

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