Bellevue—Rep. Skyler Rude, a Republican from Walla Walla, will not seek reelection and instead has accepted a position with the Washington Secretary of State’s Office.
“Skyler Rude is a good man and has been an effective state legislator for the 16th District. I wish him well in his new position,” says Washington State Republican Party Chairman Rep. Jim Walsh. “The current Secretary of State can certainly use Rude’s discernment.”
“To the people of the 16th: Even though Rude is leaving, vote for him one last time, this November. That will assure someone who shares his political values and policy priorities replaces him in the Legislature,” urges Chairman Walsh.
Rude faces Democratic challenger Derek Sarley in his reelection bid. Despite his decision not to seek another term, Rude is urging Republicans to turn out and vote.
“Voters who want a Republican appointed to replace me should vote for me,” he said in a statement. “House Republicans are “fighting hard to make Washington a more affordable, safer place to live” even as Democrats outnumber them 59-39 in the chamber.
“Bipartisanship and collaboration within the Legislature have been a cornerstone for Skyler’s work, and one of the reasons he ran for office,” according to his website. “In his first year, he co-founded a bipartisan work group that facilitated opportunities for legislators to work together and build relationships.”
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