Gubernatorial challenger says he doesn’t have a presidential candidate

Mar 17, 2016, 9:11 AM | Updated: 11:10 am

“Decreasing traffic congestion has not been a priority of the DOT,” gubernatorial candi...

"Decreasing traffic congestion has not been a priority of the DOT," gubernatorial candidate Bill Bryant told Seattle's Morning News. (Kipp Robertson/MyNorthwest)

(Kipp Robertson/MyNorthwest)

Washington’s Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Bryant has distanced himself from presidential candidate Donald Trump in the past. But he may have gone a step further on Seattle’s Morning News on Thursday.

KIRO Radio’s Dave Ross asked Bryant who he supports for president.

“I do not have a candidate,” he said.

Related: Washington head gives ultimatum to Jay Inslee and legislature

There has not been a Republican elected for governor in Washington since 1981. With the difficulty the party already has at getting their foot in the door of the governor’s mansion added to the criticism Trump is bringing, it seems as though Bryant is doing all he can to distance himself from traditional views.

Bryant’s positions share little in common with Trump. He told Dave that his focus, if elected, would be on education, transportation, health care, and protecting the environment.

He’s also called Gov. Jay Inslee’s lack of a decision on the death penalty a “cowardly” act.

“I’m going to focus on education, I’m going to focus on transportation, I’m going to focus on generating job opportunities all across Washington state,” he told KIRO Radio’s Jason Rantz in a previous interview. “But if the legislature were to put a bill on my desk abolishing the death penalty, I would sign it.”

Listen to the interview with Bill Bryant below.

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Gubernatorial challenger says he doesn’t have a presidential candidate