Dale Washam, a one-term former Pierce County assessor-treasurer and contentious local figure who repeatedly clashed with county leaders during his brief four-year tenure, died of natural causes on May 15. He was 87.
A family member confirmed Washam’s death, but declined further comment.
Until his unexpected election in 2008, Washam was known as a gadfly: a perennial candidate who ran unsuccessfully for public office in Washington more than 10 times and filed numerous complaints, lawsuits, and recalls against political and personal opponents. Targets ranged from local private citizens to former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Washam claimed Gingrich had stolen his idea for the 1994 “Contract with America.” The complaint went nowhere…