This candidate for WA governor has leadership experience, ties to work for all | Editorial
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Tri-City Herald 2024 election recommendations
The Tri-City Herald Editorial Board met with more than two dozen candidates for local and state office. Here are their endorsements.
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Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson has been rising in state politics for more than a decade. We recommend that voters give him one more promotion to the governor’s mansion in November.
Ferguson earned fame as an attorney general who took on big federal fights. He filed dozens of lawsuits against the Trump administration’s overreaches. But it wasn’t just Donald Trump.
Ferguson’s first lawsuits against the federal government went after the Obama administration over nuclear cleanup and worker safety at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Post-Trump, he also has challenged the Biden administration in court.
There’s a clear partisan skew in the volume, but what voters should note is that Ferguson is willing to stand up for them within the framework of his ideals, no matter the party. Those ideals fall within the sort of pragmatic progressivism for which many Washingtonians have a fondness.
Ferguson also targeted bad corporate actors as attorney general. He won $1.2 billion from pharmaceutical companies to fund treatment for substance use disorders and first responders.
His critics challenge him on crime in the state, forgetting or willfully ignoring that the attorney general actually has little to do with street-level criminal law enforcement. That responsibility falls to local law enforcement and prosecutors.
Nor does the attorney general pass the laws, for good or ill. He has input into the lawmaking process, and Ferguson has worked with lawmakers of both parties to fix problems, but the Legislature makes the final decision. That said, he has pledged that if elected he would advocate for the Legislature to increase state funding to hire more police officers, prosecutors and public defenders.
Ferguson wants to continue the state’s transition to clean energy, protect its lands and waters, uphold abortion and LGBTQ rights, defend the capital gains tax, and support consumer protections. He has the leadership experience and political ties to the Democratic majority in the Legislature to get things done.
The capital gains tax only applies to gains above $262,000 for sales of stocks, bonds and business interests — not real estate.
His opponent, Republican Dave Reichert, does not offer a compelling case. A former King County sheriff and U.S. representative, he is attempting to pitch himself as a moderate, but his record is solidly conservative. While in Congress, he supported tough limits on abortion. He repeatedly voted to abolish the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). And his record on LGBTQ rights is poor.
Reichert’s campaign is awash in contradiction as he tries to appeal to everyone.
He would cut taxes but also increase spending. He would make up for it by cutting wasteful spending, though like many conservatives before him he is unable to identify cuts sufficient to make the numbers work. He talks about preserving dams but protecting salmon and their runs. It’s enough to make one’s head spin.
Ferguson has the experience to lead the state and an agenda that matches what a majority of Washingtonians want. He’s an easy choice to serve as the next governor.
This story was originally published October 5, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREBehind Our Election Recommendations
Who decides the recommendations?
The Tri-City Herald editorial board is comprised of experienced opinion journalists and community members, and is separate from The Herald’s newsroom. Conversations are on the record.
What does the recommendation process entail?
Whenever possible, The Herald editorial board meets with opposing candidates at the same time. The questions are largely focused on a candidate’s qualifications and goals. The editorial board then discusses the candidates in each race and decides who to recommend. Board members seek to reach a consensus on our recommendations, but not every decision is unanimous.
Is the editorial board partisan?
No. In making recommendations, members of the editorial board consider which candidates are well prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with us or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, their readiness for office, their depth of knowledge of key issues, their understanding of public policy and their ability to work with the current board . We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points. The editorial board will endorse both Republicans and Democrats.
Why are the editorials unsigned?
Our election recommendations reflect the collective views of The Herald’s editorial board — not just the opinion of one writer. For the 2024 election, the board includes: Laurie Williams, Herald executive editor; Jack Briggs, retired Herald publisher; Ken Robertson, retired Herald editor; Rosa Torres, community representative. Chris Trejbal is our editorial writer.
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