Bob Ferguson, the Democratic state attorney general, garnered the highest number of votes in Washington state’s nonpartisan gubernatorial primary held on Tuesday. He is set to compete against Republican Dave Reichert, who secured the second spot, in the general election on November 5 to fill the position left vacant by termed-out Democratic Governor Jay Inslee.
In Washington’s “top two” primary system, all candidates for congressional and state positions appear on a single ballot. The two candidates who obtain the most votes progress to the general election, regardless of their party affiliations.
Serving as the state’s top lawyer since 2013, Ferguson is campaigning on a platform emphasizing both continuity and reform, positioning himself as a champion of progressive ideals in a state with a strong Democratic reputation. He achieved an impressive 74% of the votes on Tuesday night and will face off against Reichert, a former sheriff and congressman, in the general election on November 5.
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Aerial view of the Washington State Capitol in Olympia, Washington. (David Ryder/Getty Images)
Ferguson’s campaign has prominently featured his criticisms of his opponent, former U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, especially on contentious issues such as abortion. Ferguson has accused Reichert of being out of touch with Washington’s values due to his previous support for a nationwide abortion ban.
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He has received endorsements from several notable state figures, including U.S. Senate Pro Tempore Patty Murray and Governor Jay Inslee.
With Washington not having elected a Republican governor in the past 40 years, Reichert faces a challenging road ahead in November.
