Election 2024: Ferguson elected as Washington State Governor

Bob Ferguson has been elected as Washington State Governor, according to the Associated Press.

Statement from Governor-elect Bob Ferguson:

“I am honored that Washingtonians have chosen me to fight for them. To the thousands of supporters and volunteers who helped make this victory possible — thank you.

We won by building a massive grassroots coalition, including more than 110,000 individual contributions. We relentlessly traveled across the state to build support and listen to the hopes and concerns of Washingtonians. Those conversations will guide me as your Governor.

Thank you to Congressman Dave Reichert for running a hard-fought campaign and his many years of public service. I wish him the very best in the next chapter of his life.

To my wife Colleen — you have been there every step of the way through this journey. Literally!  You went doorbelling with me the very first day that I knocked on doors as a candidate for the County Council, and we have walked this path together ever since that initial “doorbelling date.”  Thank you.

To Jack and Katie, our teenage twins, I want you to know that while my job is changing, some things will definitely stay the same. Katie — you will still see me in the bleachers cheering for you and your teammates at all of your fastpitch softball tournaments. Jack — next summer we have quite a few peaks on your bucket list to climb. I’m excited to get back on the trails with you.

In the coming weeks, I will make announcements about the team I am building to help lead Washington into 2025 and beyond. Together, with your support, we will make progress on the most critical issues facing our state, from public safety to housing affordability, from economic development to the ferry system. I am looking forward to this opportunity and challenge.”

Former U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, a two-term sheriff known for helping to hunt down a prolific serial killer, is trying to become Washington’s first GOP governor in 40 years. But he faces a difficult hurdle in the Democratic stronghold against longtime Attorney General Bob Ferguson, a darling of liberals for his many lawsuits against the Trump administration.

The two candidates have spent months trading accusations of dishonesty, especially when it comes to abortion rights, as they fight to lead a state that hasn’t had an open race for its top job in more than a decade.

They are seeking to replace Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, the longest serving governor in office in the country, who declined to seek a fourth term.

Reichert, 74, has struggled to gain widespread appeal among independent and moderate Democratic voters — or unified support from the state Republican party, which endorsed a rival in the primary. And as ballots are sent out in the vote-by-mail state, his path to victory appears increasingly shaky.

“I think not only has the partisan lean moved more towards the Democrats over the last decade or two in the state, but also the Republican Party has become less united, especially since 2016,” said Cornell Clayton, director of Washington State University’s Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service. “And that hurts Republican candidates.”

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