The Associated Press called the race for Bob Ferguson about 30 minutes after polls closed in Tuesday’s election
Carleen Johnson
The Center Square Washington
Democratic Attorney General Bob Ferguson has defeated Republican Dave Reichert in the Washington state governor’s race.
The Associated Press called the race for Ferguson about 30 minutes after polls closed in Tuesday’s election with Ferguson holding 56% of the returns posted Tuesday night to Reichert’s 43%.
Incumbent Gov. Jay Inslee did not run for reelection after serving in the role for the last 12 years.
Ferguson focused his campaign on attacking Reichert’s voting record on abortion during his time in Congress. Reichert supported legislation that would have limited abortion to the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Reichert responded in a campaign video, saying, “As governor, I will not change Washington law on this issue,” adding that he doesn’t believe any politician should make such a decision for a woman.
Reichert was King County Sheriff prior to representing Washington’s 8th Congressional District from 2005 to 2019. He centered his campaign on going after Ferguson, who has been the state’s attorney general since 2013, and his record on public safety.
Reichert tied Ferguson to Democratic policies that he said have eroded public safety, increased crime and raised the cost of living.
“The homeless crisis is really a drug and substance abuse crisis,” Reichert said during a Sept. 11 televised debate as reported by The Center Square. “He [Ferguson] supported the legislation that legalized drugs on the streets of our cities across this state.”
In the same debate Ferguson said the issue was more complicated than that.
“We agree that the issue of homelessness is complex,” Ferguson noted. “Mental illness, chemical dependency and affordability all play a key role.”
No Republican has won an election as Washington’s governor since 1980, when John Spellman was elected. He lost reelection in 1984.
Washington has the longest current streak of Democratic governors in the country.
Washington’s contest is one of 11 gubernatorial elections taking place in 2024.
This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.
Also read:
- Democrats double down on taxes, pension raid, and spending addiction
Rep. Travis Couture criticized the House Democrats’ supplemental budget, citing new taxes, reserve withdrawals and K-12 cuts. - Opinion: Internal emails reveal the real plan for a statewide income tax
Ryan Frost argues internal emails show a multi-step strategy toward a statewide progressive income tax in Washington. - Opinion: Make your voice heard about the majority party’s state income tax proposal
Rep. John Ley outlines his opposition to Senate Bill 6346 and urges residents to participate in the February 24 public hearing before the House Finance Committee. - Letter: County Council resolution ‘strong on rhetoric, weak on results’
Peter Bracchi calls on the Clark County Council to withdraw its ICE-related resolution and replace it with a measurable public-safety plan. - Trump vows new tariffs, criticizes Supreme Court justices after ruling
President Donald Trump said he will pursue new tariffs under different authorities after the Supreme Court ruled he exceeded his power under IEEPA.
wpDiscuz
