Semi Bird

Semi Bird was a member of the Richland School District school board in Washington, representing Position 3. He left office on August 15, 2023.

Bird (Republican Party) ran for election for Governor of Washington. He lost in the primary on August 6, 2024.

Bird completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Semi Bird was born in San Francisco, California. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1978 to 1985. He earned a bachelor's degree from Columbia Southern University in 2010 and a graduate degree from Villanova University in 2012. His career experience includes working as a consultant and behavioral scientist. Bird has been affiliated with Phi Kappa Phi and the American Psychological Association.^[1]

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Governor of Washington

Bob Ferguson defeated Dave Reichert in the general election for Governor of Washington on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Bob Ferguson (D)	55.5	2,143,368
	Dave Reichert (R)	44.3	1,709,818
	Other/Write-in votes	0.2	8,202

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,861,388
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Governor of Washington

The following candidates ran in the primary for Governor of Washington on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bob Ferguson (D)	44.9	884,268
✔		Dave Reichert (R)	27.5	541,533
		Semi Bird (R)	10.8	212,692
		Mark Mullet (D)	6.0	119,048
		Leon Lawson (Trump Republican Party)	1.8	35,971
	Submit photo	Jim Daniel (R)	1.5	29,907
	Submit photo	Cassondra Hanson (D)	1.2	24,512
		EL'ona Kearney (D)	1.2	24,374
		Jennifer Hoover (R)	0.8	15,692
		Andre Stackhouse (G)	0.6	11,962
		Don Rivers (D)	0.5	9,453
	Submit photo	Martin Wheeler (R)	0.4	7,676
		Chaytan Inman (D)	0.3	6,427
		Ricky Anthony (D)	0.3	6,226
	Submit photo	Jeff Curry (Independent Party)	0.3	6,068
		Fred Grant (D)	0.3	5,503
		Brian Bogen (No party preference)	0.2	4,530
		A.L. Brown (R)	0.2	4,232
		Michael DePaula (L)	0.2	3,957
		Rosetta Marshall-Williams (Independence Party)	0.2	2,960
		Jim Clark (No party preference)	0.1	2,355
	Submit photo	Edward Cale (D)	0.1	1,975
		Alex Tsimerman (Standup-America Party)	0.1	1,721
		Bill Hirt (R)	0.1	1,720
	Submit photo	Frank Dare (Independent Party)	0.1	1,115
		Alan Makayev (Nonsense Busters Party)	0.1	1,106
		William Combs (Independent Party)	0.1	1,042
	Submit photo	Brad Mjelde (No party preference)	0.1	991
		Ambra Mason (Constitution Party) (Write-in)	0.0	0
	Submit photo	Bobbie Samons (No party preference) (Write-in)	0.0	0
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	1,347

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,970,363
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign finance

Endorsements

Bird received the following endorsements.

Washington State Republican Party
Loren Culp (R) - Frmr. Gubernatorial Candidate

2023

See also: Richland School District recall, Washington (2022-2023)

Semi Bird recall, 2023

Semi Bird lost the Richland School District school board Position 3 recall election on August 1, 2023.

	Recall Vote	%	Votes
✖	Yes	54.5	10,715
	No	45.5	8,953
	Total Votes		19,668

It has been certified. Source

Campaign themes

2024

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released July 16, 2023

Ballotpedia survey responses

Semi Bird completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bird's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Semi Bird has spent most of his life in service to his nation. He served two active-duty enlistments in the United States Marine Corps, earning the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. 16 years later after the attacks on 9/11/2001, Semi volunteered to become an Army Special Forces Green Beret at age 43. He received the Bronze Star Valor, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and numerous medals of commendation and achievement for his combat service.

Semi left active duty and volunteered for service in the Washington State Army National Guard where he deployed multiple times in support of Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He took a leadership position with the United States Department of Energy where he served as a Federal Director and later retired as the Director of Training and Leadership Development.

He became the Associate Director of Professional Development and Community Education at Washington State University before becoming a Behavioral Scientist and Business Consultant specializing in performance improvement and leadership development.

Semi holds a BS in Business Administration summa cum laude, MS in Human Resource Development (PHR), and is completing his PhD. In Organizational Psychology. He holds multiple post graduate certifications.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Semi is a candidate who believes in putting people over politics. A candidate of the people, by the people and for the people. ALL of the people
He has the knowledge, skills, and abilities to bring real solutions with action to address the out-of-control homelessness, lawlessness, and breakdown of our economy and public education system.
We will usher in a new era of grown and prosperity for our beautiful state and its citizens by supporting small business growth, lower taxes, job creation, and neighborhood revitalization.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Law and Order

Education

Economic Growth

Accountability and Transparency

Energy Independence

Performance Improvement

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Dave

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honor, Selfless Service, Personal Courage, Integrity, Servant Leadership, Constitution based governance, Transparency

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

A genuine love of people and desire to help others

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Protect and maintain the individual rights of Washington citizens

What legacy would you like to leave?

Changing peoples lives for the better

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Far Pavilions a cultural adventure romance MM Kay

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

NEO

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Empire State of Mind Jay Z

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Nothing - thankful

A governor is the top executive authority in his or her state. What does that mean do you?

As the Chief Executive Officer of Washington state, the governor is responsible for the efficient and effective operation of the government. With a mindset of creating value for our citizen shareholders, the governor must strive for continuous improvement of government operations in order to reduce operational costs and improve organizational effectiveness.

As a Behavioral Scientist and subject matter expert in organizational development I am uniquely qualified to oversee and influence the improvement of state program capability through the alignment of strategy, structure, people, rewards, metrics, and management processes.

The governor must be a steward of taxpayer dollars with an obligation of fiscal accountability and budget transparency. The governor must strike a balance between manager and leader of the largest organization in the state. Overseeing operations and operating by, with, and through organizational leaders is key. I have consulted all levels of leadership as a business consultant, and served as a Federal Director of Training and Leadership Development. I will drive organizational excellence in state government and facilitate growth and prosperity for Washington citizens.

Governors have many responsibilities, which vary from state to state. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your state?

All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights.

It is imperative for the governor to uphold the constitution and protect and maintain the individual rights of Washington citizens. The governor is a servant leader elected to represent ALL citizens.

Different states require governors to have different degrees of responsibility for the state budgeting process. If it were your choice, what do you believe is the appropriate degree of gubernatorial involvement with this process in your state?

The Legislature reviews the Governor's proposed budget, develops and debates a proposed budget, and passes it. The Governor reviews the passed budget and signs it into law, vetoes it, or partially vetoes it.

I support the state process as written.

In most states, governors have the power to make line-item vetoes. If that is true in your state, what would be your philosophy for how and when to use this power?

If any bill presented to the governor contain several sections or appropriation items, he may object to one or more sections or appropriation items while approving other portions of the bill: Provided, that he may not object to less than an entire section, except that if the section contains one or more appropriation items, he may object to any such appropriation item or items.

I support the 1974 change to the Washington Constitution.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

I fully support dual federalism as our structure of separation of powers. That said, it is important to have a relationship of trust. Trust that all elected officials are operating in the best interest of their constituents.

As governor, I will make it clear that transparency of legislature is key to a healthy government.

I support healthy conflict with an understanding that we can learn from each other and just because we may not agree on an issue, doesn’t mean we cannot respect one another.

What do you love most about your state?

Our beautiful geography and diverse culture.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

With proper leadership we can turn our state around beginning in January 2025

Currently we must tackle: Homelessness, Mental Health & Addiction, Public Safety, Education, Economy, and restore citizen rights.

Tell us your favorite joke.

None

Under what circumstances should the governor of your state be able to use emergency powers?

RCW 43.06.10 I support our current laws and stand against an overreach as seen during the COVID response. Legislature should not have signed away citizen power to the Governor.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

PASTOR ROGER

SENIOR PASTOR
MOTION CHURCH
LUCA
LATINOS UNITED
FOR CONSERVATIVE ACTION
CRISTIAN SANCHEZ
TOPPENISH CITY COUNCIL
POSITION 2
NOLAN WEIS
CITY COUNCIL
ROSLYN
FRANK LAROSE
OHIO SECRETARY OF STATE, CANDIDATE FOR U.S. SENATE
FORMER U.S. ARMY SPECIAL FORCES GREEN BERET
SNOHOMISH COUNTY
39TH
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
JIM HUNTSMAN
THE WESTERN HUNTSMAN
PODCAST
JAMES BOAD
SHELTON CITY COUNCIL
SEAT ONE
EMMA HERRON
HOSPITAL BOARD COMMISSIONER
SNOQUALMIE VALLEY
LISA ALEXANDER
KELSO CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
POSITION 6
COLUMBIA COUNTY
CONSERVATIVES
STEVE DUENKEL
AUDITOR
MASON COUNTY
DENNIS & LORI CUMMINS
LEAD PASTORS
EXPERIENCE CHURCH PUYALLUP, WA
THE LAKE ROOSEVELT
YACHT CLUB
TRICIA DAVIS
BATTLE GROUND CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
TAKE BACK MASON COUNTY
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
DOUG ROULSTONE
US NAVY (RET.) CAPTAIN AND COMMANDING OFFICER
USS JOHN C. STENNIS AIRCRAFT CARRIER
GWENDOLYN FULLERTON
COUNCIL MEMBER
BONNEY LAKE
WILLIAM "BILL" TORSEN
WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES
COMMODORE, RETIRED
STEVEN L. SAUNDERS
COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR
SPECIAL OPERATIONS DETACHMENT PACIFIC, RETIRED
STAN FITZGERALD
PRESIDENT OF VETERANS FOR AMERICA FIRST
RYAN WHITTEN
RICHLAND CITY COUNCIL
POSITION 7
ROY SWIHART
SENIOR PASTOR
COWBOY CHURCH-BOW
ROB GILLESPIE
COUNCILMEMBER
CITY OF OKANOGAN
RICHARD "RICK" HUNT
COLONEL
U.S. MARINE CORPS, RET.
PETE SERRANO
COUNCILMAN
PASCO CITY
NICK WINTERS
ARMY LIEUTENANT COLONEL, RET.
HOMELAND SECURITY PROFESSIONAL
NICK RICHARDSON
ARMY VETERAN
NON-PROFIT FOUNDER, VETERAN ADVOCATE
NICK LAVACCA
COUNCILMAN AT-LARGE
SEDRO-WOOLLEY
COLONEL MD MUSTAFIZUR RAHMAN
FORMER COMMANDER
BANGLADESH ARMY SPECIAL FORCES
MJ BOLT
SPOKANE COUNTY GOP VICE CHAIR
FORMER SPOKANE SCHOOL BOARD DIRECTOR, MEMBER OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
MICHELLE BELKOT
COUNCILWOMAN ELECT
CLARK COUNTY
KENNETH SPENCER, JR.
TREASURER
BENTON COUNTY
KAT SNIDER
SCHOOL DIRECTOR
(DISTRICT 3) KETTLE FALLS
JOELLEN KESTI
MAYOR CANDIDATE
COUNCIL MEMBER AND SEDRO-WOOLLEY
JOE KENT
FORMER SPECIAL FORCES
GREEN BERET
JOE KENNEDY
FOOTBALL COACH
BREMERTON HIGH SCHOOL
JHOANNA JONES
CITY COUNCIL
RICHLAND
JEFF MCMILLAN
TONASKET CITY COUNCIL
POSITION 2
GABE GALBRAIH
KENNEWICK SCHOOL BOARD
DIRECTOR 2
ERIN SITTERLEY
CITY COUNCIL
SEATAC
ERIKA GEORGE
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
STEVENS COUNTY
ERIC EISINGER
PROSECUTOR
BENTON COUNTY
ELPIDIA SAAVEDRA
MAYOR
TOPPENISH
DR. JONATHAN HANSEN
PRESIDENT
WORLD MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
DARIUS J. SLADE
BUSINESS MANAGER
DSHS
CITIZEN POLITICAL ACTION COALITION
CPAC
AUDRA BYRD
RICHLAND SCHOOL BOARD
DIRECTOR, VICE PRESIDENT
JOHN HILDERBRAND
SHERIFF
ASOTIN COUNTY
PAUL BUDROW
SHERIFF
OKANOGAN COUNTY
BOB SONGER
SHERIFF
KLICKITAT COUNTY
BRAD MANKE
SHERIFF
STEVENS COUNTY
JIM RAYMOND
SHERIFF
FRANKLIN COUNTY
MIKE MORRISON
SHERIFF
CHELAN COUNTY
SUMMER SCHEYER
SHERIFF
SKAMANIA COUNTY
ADAM FORTNEY
SHERIFF
SNOHOMISH COUNTY
COUNTY ENDORSEMENTS
SNOHOMISH COUNTY 38TH LD
REPUBLICAN PARTY
WASHINGTON STATE
ASOTIN COUNTY
REPUBLICAN PARTY
WASHINGTON STATE
CLARK COUNTY
REPUBLICAN PARTY
WASHINGTON STATE
SPOKANE COUNTY
REPUBLICAN PARTY
WASHINGTON STATE
COLUMBIA COUNTY
REPUBLICAN PARTY
WASHINGTON STATE
ISLAND COUNTY
REPUBLICAN PARTY
WASHINGTON STATE
MASON COUNTY
REPUBLICAN PARTY
WASHINGTON STATE
SKAGIT COUNTY
REPUBLICAN PARTY
WASHINGTON STATE
BENTON COUNTY
REPUBLICAN PARTY
WASHINGTON STATE
LEWIS COUNTY
REPUBLICAN PARTY
WASHINGTON STATE
COWLITZ COUNTY
REPUBLICAN PARTY
WASHINGTON STATE
YAKIMA COUNTY
REPUBLICAN PARTY
WASHINGTON STATE
SKAMANIA COUNTY
REPUBLICAN PARTY

WASHINGTON STATE

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Semi Bird campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Governor of Washington	Lost primary	$726,188	$738,533
Grand total			$726,188	$738,533
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission *This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

Governor of Washington

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on November 28, 2023

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on November 28, 2023

[1]

	v • e State of Washington Olympia (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? \| Elections in 2025 \| How to vote \| How to run for office \| Ballot measures
Government	Who represents me? \| U.S. President \| U.S. Congress \| Federal courts \| State executives \| State legislature \| State and local courts \| Counties \| Cities \| School districts \| Public policy

Semi Bird

Contents

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Governor of Washington

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Governor of Washington

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign finance

Endorsements

2023

Semi Bird recall, 2023

Campaign themes

2024

Video for Ballotpedia

Ballotpedia survey responses

Campaign finance summary

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

Get Engaged

Services

Additional analysis

SITE NAVIGATION