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Semi Bird
Bird in 2024
Member of the Richland School Board from Position 3
In office
2021 (2021) – August 15, 2023 (2023-08-15)
Personal details
Born
Misipati Semi Bird

c. 1961 (age 62–63)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Education
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Marine Corps
Awards

Misipati Semi Bird (born c. 1961)[1] is an American politician. Born in San Francisco, Bird enlisted with the United States Marine Corps in 1978 and earned a Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart before ending his service in 1985.

In 2021, Bird was elected to the Richland School District board as a member of the Republican Party. A year later in 2022, Bird and two other school board members defied Washington state law and made students wearing masks optional, against state policy. After being sharply criticized for this move, a recall petition against all three members—including Bird—was filed, claiming that they had violated the Open Public Meetings Act. The recall movement was successful, despite several attempts by Bird himself to appeal it, and he was recalled in August 2023.

Bird announced his campaign for governor of Washington in November 2022 in an event located at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia. In April 2024, he received the endorsement of the state's Republican Party chapter in a chaotic event, causing Dave Reichert—another Republican candidate for governor—to withdraw his bid for endorsement by the state party. During his campaign, he was accused of stolen valor after photographs showed Bird wearing an unauthorized badge on his uniform, as well as a reprimand later written in December 2009 which directly alleged stolen valor against Bird. In August 2024, Bird lost in the primary election, receiving 11% of the vote and placing third.

Early life and career

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Misipati Semi Bird was born in San Francisco to Misipati Peletisara Lavatai and was raised by a single mom of seven.[2][3][4] He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1978 to 1985 and received a Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart.[4][5] Afer his stint with the Marine Corps ended, he received a Bachelor of Arts in business administration from Columbia Southern University and a Master of Science in human resource development from Villanova University. As of November 2022, he was a doctoral student at Northcentral University for industrial and organizational psychology.[6]

In 1993, Bird pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of bank larceny for falsifying information on a credit application by using the name and Social Security number of his father in 1991.[2][7]

Bird is the founder and executive director of Team Concepts Training and Consulting, a business leadership development and coaching company.[4]

Political career

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School board career

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Bird was elected to position 3 of the Richland School District board in November 2021, on a platform of optional COVID-19 mask wearing, family choice, and opposition to critical race theory.[4][8] Days after he won the general election, an online petition was started advocating for Bird to be the next school board president.[9]

In February 2022,[10]: n.pag.  after Washington mandated that all students wear masks inside buildings, Bird—alongside Audra Byrd and Kari Williams—defied statewide law and moved to make wearing masks optional. The move was criticized by former Richland School Board president Rick Jansons, describing the move as "black and white illegal".[11] Two other school board members said that they felt "ambushed" over the motion, stating that they were unaware they would be discussing or voting on the issue.[12] Board president Jill Oldson had passed the measure, however later repealed it, sparking an attempt to oust her by Bird and Byrd.[4]

The Washington Coalition for Open Government criticized the move as a possible violation of the Open Public Meetings Act. The secretary of the coalition, George Erb, claimed that he reported the issue to a Seattle attorney, who sided with the coalition. In response, an open meeting advocate filed a lawsuit against Richland School District, its board, and the three board members who voted for the measure—Bird, Byrd, and Williams.[12] In May 2022, the school board voted unanimously to settle the lawsuit, with the school district paying the advocate $5,000, Bird, Byrd, and Williams agreeing to attend training for understanding the Open Public Meetings Act, and the district agreeing to halt deleting text messages.[13]

After the move, a recall effort against Byrd, Bird, and Williams was filed, claiming that the three violated the Open Public Meetings Act;[4] the measure was not on the board's agenda for that day, making the public unaware that it was going to be discussed.[11] The three were also accused of code of ethics violations, district policy violations, and violating the COVID mask order. The petitions were approved by judge Norma Rodriguez for the Benton County Superior Court in May.[14] Rodriguez stood buy her original descision, however chose to throw out one of five allegations in the original recall filing, citing a "clear discrepancy".[15] Bird, Byrd, and Williams ended up appealing the ruling to the Washington Supreme Court.[4] The recall effort was successful, with roughly 55% voting in favor of recalling Bird. In response, Bird stated that the recall was "unfortunate" but predicted that it would boost support for his campaign for governor.[16] Before the recall petition was voted on, Bird had chosen not to run for a second term to the school board in order to focus on his gubernatorial campaign.[8]

2023 Richland School Board position 3 recall election[17]
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 10,715 54.48
No 8,953 45.52
Total votes 19,668 100.00

2024 Washington gubernatorial campaign

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Announcement and Washington Republican Party endorsement

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Semi Bird gubernatorial campaign sign in Kent, Washington.

On November 11, 2022, Bird announced that he would run for governor of Washington in the 2024 gubernatorial election as a member of the Republican Party in an event hosted at the Washington State Capitol and sponsored by conservative organizations America First PACT and Contract with Washington. Corey Gibson, a former candidate for Washington's 4th congressional district and founder of the America First PACT, was selected as the campaign's communications director.[4][18] Speculation about Bird running for governor began the prior day, when social media accounts were created for a potential gubernatorial run.[10]

An event was held by the Washington Republican Party on April 19, 2024, in which they were scheduled to officially endorse a candidate for governor. However, the state party announced that they would not endorse any candidate, alleging that Bird "was not forthcoming" in the party's vetting process. The announcement was criticized heavily and the event's attendees hastily voted to reverse the party's decision, and the party was expected to vote on a candidate to endorse the following day. Another Republican candidate for governor Dave Reichert, who was not expected to attend, announced he was withdrawing his endorsement bid, critcizing the event as a "chaotic and deceitful sideshow", as well as saying the party had "changed rules, broke rules, and twisted the process".[19][20] On April 10, the Washington Republican Party officially endorsed Bird for governor, with more than 70% of the approximately 1,800 delegates supporting Bird.[20] After the endorsement, Reichert described Bird as a "snake oil salesman".[21]

Bird announced that he had filed to run for governor on May 10.[22] After filing, he became the first Black Republican candidate for governor of Washington.[23]

Stolen valor claims

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In June 2024, Bird was accused of stolen valor after photographs published by a conservative talk show host showed Bird wearing an unauthorized special operations diver badge on his uniform.[24] A reprimand letter towards Bird from December 2009 was also released alongside the photographs. Written by Hector E. Pagan, the letter further accuses Bird of stolen valor and that he had signed three non-commissioned officer evaluation reports "for rating periods in which [Bird was] not assigned to the unit". In a response to the letter, Bird stated that his actions were "nothing less than a fraud against the United States Army".[25][26]

After the allegations, the Washington Republican Party chair announced an investigation into Bird, which had found that Bird earned his Bronze Star Medal and other awards with valor, however questioned some of his other awards.[25] Jim Walsh, the party's chair, said that "deeply troubled" by Bird's response. The Spokane County Republican Party reaffirmed its support for Bird.[26] There were calls for the party to revoke the party's endorsement of Bird, however Walsh stated that "voters will have a chance to be heard on the issue. Bird, in a later response to the 2009 letter, said that he "submitted false and inaccurate information [...] in order to compensate for unrated time and meet the requirements for the WO program". Bird also stated that the letter was ordered to be held in a restricted file as to not negatively affect his career.[25]

Polling and results

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Polling conducted within months before the primary election generally showed Bird placing either third or fourth.[27][28] A statewide poll conducted in July 2024 showed Bird receiving 10% of the vote, behind fellow Republican Dave Reichert and Democrat Bob Ferguson, a poll which Bird described as "wrong" and "garbage".[29] Another poll showed that Bird had "outsized support among very conservative voters".[30]

Primaries were held on August 6, 2024, with Bird placing third, garnering 11% of the total vote, losing to Democrat Bob Ferguson and fellow Republican Dave Reichert who each had 45% and 27% of the total vote, respectively. Bird admitted defeat around a week later and endorsed former president and 2024 Republican nominee for president Donald Trump "for Washington state".[18] Shortly after his defeat, Washington Republican Party committeeman David Prutzman alleged that Bird had made death threats against him during a meeting of the party. According to a member of the Chelan County Republican Party, "[Bird] called [Prutzman] a fat fucker and said he was going to bury him, and he's lucky his wife's here so he didn't". Bird denied the allegations, describing them as "Bird Derangement Syndrome" and stated he remained professional at the meeting.[31]

If Bird was elected, he would have been the first Black governor of Washington and the first Republican elected to the position since 1981.[4]

Political positions

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Bird describes himself as a "constitutional Christian conservative". He has called critical race theory a "Marxist, anti-American initiative", as well as expressing dissatisfaction towards face masks and Washington's mandated sex education courses in schools.[4] Bird has also been described as a suporter of the MAGA movement.[32]

Throughout Bird's gubernatorial campaign, he stated that he would declare homelessness an emergency and use the Washington National Guard to establish hospitals in rural areas to provide housing and counseling to homeless people. He also said that he would terminate pro-sanctuary city laws in Washington and end its support of undocumented immigrants.[33]

References

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  1. ^ O'Sullivan, Joseph (July 31, 2023). "WA governor candidate Semi Bird set for school board recall vote". Cascade PBS. Retrieved August 26, 2024. ... said Bird, 62.
  2. ^ a b Brunner, Jim (April 17, 2024). "WA governor candidate Semi Bird says 'no excuse' for financial crime". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  3. ^ "Semi Bird". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Sowersby, Shauna; Rosane, Eric (November 11, 2022). "Controversial Richland school board member announces bid for Washington governor in 2024". The Olympian. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  5. ^ Dennis, Ellen (July 21, 2024). "Ballots are arriving for Washington's primary elections. Here are the top contenders for governor". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  6. ^ Smith, Kate (November 17, 2022). "Richland school board member Semi Bird launches campaign for WA governor in 2024". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  7. ^ Golden, Hallie (August 5, 2024). "Washington attorney general and ex-sheriff who helped nab Green River Killer race for governorship". Associated Press. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Rosane, Eric (May 20, 2023). "Tri-City area school boards attract 54 to run. This 1 is running for governor instead". Tri-City Herald. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  9. ^ Kraemer, Kristin M. (November 12, 2021). "'Time has come.' Richland parent starts petition to replace longtime school board president". Tri-City Herald. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Rosane, Eric (November 10, 2022). "Is this Tri-Cities school official running for governor? Social media accounts offer hints". The Olympian. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Probert, Cameron (February 15, 2022). "Richland schools close immediately after surprise vote to defy WA mask mandate". Tri-City Herald. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Probert, Cameron (February 24, 2022). "Richland School Board violated WA open meetings law over mask vote, lawsuit claims". Tri-City Herald. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  13. ^ Rosane, Eric (May 12, 2022). "Richland School Board votes to settle open meetings lawsuit. Here's what they'll pay". Tri-City Herald. Archived from the original on August 26, 2024. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  14. ^ Rosane, Eric (May 20, 2022). "3 Richland school officials ask judge to change her mind and block their recall". Tri-City Herald. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  15. ^ Rosane, Eric (June 14, 2022). "Tri-Cities judge tosses out 1 charge in Richland School Board recall". Tri-City Herald. Archived from the original on August 26, 2024. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  16. ^ Lindsay, Jeanie (August 2, 2023). "Voters backing school board recall of E. Washington Republican running for governor". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  17. ^ "Benton County August 1, 2023 Primary". Washington Secretary of State. August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  18. ^ a b Rosane, Eric (August 15, 2024). "Semi Bird admits defeat in WA governor race during fiery podcast. But who's he endorsing?". The Bellingham Herald. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  19. ^ Brunner, Jim (April 19, 2024). "Semi Bird supporters beat back WA GOP attempt to stop endorsement vote". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  20. ^ a b Brunner, Jim (April 20, 2024). "WA GOP endorses Semi Bird for governor at Trump-dominated convention". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  21. ^ Dennis, Ellen (April 20, 2024). "Washington governor candidate Semi Bird clinches state GOP nomination after a party backlash". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  22. ^ Reed, Austin (August 26, 2024). "Semi Bird officially files to run for Governor of Washington State". Apple Valley News Now. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  23. ^ Leister, Allen (May 10, 2024). "Semi Bird officially files for governor; first Black Republican candidate in WA history". KEPR-TV. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  24. ^ Sowersby, Shauna (June 24, 2024). "Embattled GOP candidate for governor pushes back on claims of stolen valor". The Olympian. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  25. ^ a b c Mikkelsen, Drew (June 25, 2024). "Semi Bird defends military history following investigation". KING-TV. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  26. ^ a b Zodrow, Andru (June 21, 2024). "Semi Bird investigated by Washington State Republican Party". Nonstop Local News. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  27. ^ Sources that shows Bird placing third:
  28. ^ Sources that show Bird placing fourth:
  29. ^ Rosane, Eric (July 29, 2024). "Is the race for WA governor down to two? Semi Bird thinks the polling is 'garbage'". Tri-City Herald. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  30. ^ Withycombe, Claire (July 16, 2024). "Bob Ferguson has single-digit lead over Dave Reichert in new WA Poll". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on July 16, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  31. ^ Rosane, Eric (August 23, 2024). "Did Semi Bird threaten a WA Republican Party leader? Here's what the 911 call said". The Spokesman-Review. Tri-City Herald. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  32. ^ Multiple sources:
  33. ^ Mikkelsen, Drew (May 28, 2024). "Semi Bird says a lifetime of service prepared him to lead Washington state". KING-TV. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
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