Former US Rep. Dave Reichert is running for Washington’s first GOP governor in 40 years, facing Democratic contender Bob Ferguson. Reichert, known for tracking down a prolific serial killer, is struggling to gain support from independent and moderate Democratic voters and the Republican party. The state’s partisan lean towards Democrats and disunity within the Republican party are seen as obstacles for Reichert.
Ferguson has significantly outraised Reichert in campaign funds and received more votes in the primary election, positioning himself as a strong contender for the governor’s seat. He has leveraged his experience as attorney general for nearly 12 years, gaining national attention for suing the Trump administration and prosecuting high-profile cases, including the death of a Black man in police custody. Both candidates are focusing on law and order issues, promising to hire more police officers in a state that ranks last in law enforcement officers per capita in the nation.
Reichert, with decades of experience at the King County Sheriff’s Office, has garnered support from dozens of sheriffs and worked on high-profile cases like the Green River serial killer. He has emphasized his commitment to enforcing and supporting the state’s abortion laws, despite facing criticism from Ferguson for his past votes on a nationwide abortion ban. Ferguson has proposed strengthening abortion protections in the state constitution and has accused Reichert of being out of touch with the majority of Washingtonians on this issue.
Homelessness is another key point of contention between the two candidates, with Reichert suggesting relocating homeless individuals to state-owned land and Ferguson focusing on increasing affordable housing and mental health services. As the Seattle area grapples with high rates of homelessness, the candidates have presented contrasting approaches to addressing this issue. Washington state conducts vote-by-mail elections, with ballots being mailed out at least 18 days before Election Day, and also allows for in-person voting at designated centers.
The race for Washington’s governorship has sparked intense debates on various issues, from law enforcement and abortion rights to homelessness. With Republican Reichert and Democrat Ferguson offering distinct policy proposals and backgrounds, voters will have to weigh their options carefully in deciding the future leader of the state. As Washington has not seen an open race for the governor’s seat in over a decade, the outcome of this election will shape the political landscape of the state for years to come.
