SEATTLE—Shortly after the U.S. Presidential debate concluded on Tuesday, Washington state gubernatorial candidates Dave Reichert and Bob Ferguson squared off, tackling issues such as public safety, budgets, abortion, and climate change for the first time in-person.

The event was sponsored by the Seattle Times and media partners King 5, Krem2 News, and El Sol de Yakima with moderation by Joyce Taylor, Jim Brunner, Mark Hanrahan, and Gloria Ibanez tuning in remotely.

The overall tone between the two candidates was set after, within the first seven minutes of the debate. Reichert, the Republican candidate, announced that he is not supporting neither the GOP nor Democratic presidential nominee as a response to Ferguson alleging that he (Reichert) supports “a convicted felon” and “convicted sexual abuser,” referring to Trump.

“I hate to disappoint you Bob, but I am not supporting Mr. Trump, I’m making that announcement tonight,” Reichert said looking directly at Ferguson. “I’m also not supporting Mrs. Harris.”

Ferguson, emphatically replied, “You spoke to a group of Republican Party activists, and you said you are supporting Donald Trump.”

Reichert accused Ferguson of being untruthful, a common theme he attributed to his opponent throughout the debate.

Ferguson, showing disdain for being interrupted, told Reichert,” Dave, you may think interrupting people is ok back in Washington, D.C., where you served; it is not ok here, I will not let you do it.”

“Mr. Ferguson, you are obsessed with Donald Trump, I am not obsessed with Donald Trump,” Reichert replied. “Please move off of Donald Trump and stop your obsession with Donald Trump. And if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”

“It’s going to be a long night,” Ferguson told moderators, adding that they need to enforce the rules. Throughout the night, Ferguson continued inserting Trump, when possible, to associate his Republican challenger to the GOP presidential nominee.

While it is true Reichert has avoided ever publicly endorsing Trump, he did say at a Republican event in June that he has a “MAGA hat at home with his signature on it,” and that he could work with any president.

“While Bob Ferguson showed us what an honest champion for working families looks like, Dave Reichert did what he does best: Lie to our faces. Just like all these MAGA extremists, Reichert is willing to do anything to impose his radical agenda and take away our reproductive rights and freedoms,” said Shasti Conrad, Chair of the WA State Democrats on her thought of the debate. “Unfortunately for Reichert, Washingtonians can see a MAGA extremist a mile away and will send him back to his cushy corporate gig come November.”

“Ferguson has an unhealthy obsession with Trump. It caused him to fumble a debate tonight that, on paper, he should have won. It would make him a terrible governor,” Jim Walsh, Chair of the WA State Republicans, took to X following the debates.

Republican candidate Dave Reichert served as a U.S. Representative in Washington’s eighth congressional district from 2005 to 2019 and King County Sheriff from 1997 until 2005 before that.

During his opening remarks, Reichert explained that he grew up in the Renton Highlands in a 800-square home with nine people—six brothers and sisters—in a poor neighborhood. As someone who served as the King County Sheriff and spent time helping to combat against human trafficking in South America, his platform prioritizes public safety as well as fighting the homeless crises and supporting the education system.

Democrat candidate Bob Ferguson has been Washington’s Attorney General from 2013 until present. Before that he served on the King County Council from 2004 until assuming the AG role.

In his opening remarks, Ferguson echoed many of Reichert’s platform stances regarding public safety—fighting the homeless crises and tackling the opioid epidemic—but added that he would fight to drive down the cost of living and defend the people’s natural liberties, namely reproductive freedom. Ferguson added that he is the only candidate who does not accept political donations from large corporations because he stands for the people.

Seattle Times’ Brunner asked the first question regarding public safety and the most recent WASPC crime data report indicating that, while crime overall is down, murders and vehicle thefts are “significantly higher than 2019,” asking what each candidate would do differently to address these issues.

Attorney General Ferguson proposes, as governor, allocating $100 million of the budget to go toward hiring new law enforcement officers to address the state’s issue of having the lowest rate of commissions police officers per capita of any state in the nation. Ferguson also is proposing the creation of a hate crime division task force.

Reichert claimed to be the “only public safety candidate” fit for taking on the issue of public safety, however, citing his 33 years working in law enforcement and sitting on the Homeland Security Committee in Congress and Chairman of the Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee. He added that murders have doubled since Ferguson took office as Attorney General and that domestic violence has increased 134%.

Steering away from public safety, the two duked it out over the homeless crises with Reichert noting that the problem truly stems from a drug and substance abuse crises. Reichert criticized Ferguson for supporting legislation to “legalize” hard drugs on the streets, including fentanyl, the current state-issued emergency kits that contain drug paraphernalia, and said he would seek out the $1 billion that was “somehow misplaced” from the state’s COVID relief funds.

Ferguson noted that the homeless crises is complex and can be attributed to mental health, dependency, and affordability. He criticized Reichert’s proposal to send those suffering from homelessness to McNeil Island or to Evergreen State University, calling these suggestions “not serious proposals to a serious situation.”

As for affordable housing, Reichert appeared to stumble on his answer reverting to the previous topic of homelessness and explaining that homelessness, drug abuse, and displaced people sleeping in the storefronts of businesses dooming them to close, were all contributing factors.

Ferguson’s response was more direct suggesting that the solution lies within public-private partnerships.

Ferguson was asked by Krem2 Anchor Mark Hanrahan if he would be supporting any of the citizen-backed initiatives this upcoming election, particularly the initiative concerning the carbon emission tax which Ferguson rephrased as a repeal of the Climate Commitment Act. While he did say he would not vote in favor of the initiative, nor repeal the Climate Commitment Act, he did say it deserves to be reworked.

Reichert on the other hand said, “Let’s vote yes, pay less,” in support of the four citizen-backed initiatives by Let’s Go Washington.

Before that law took effect Washingtonians were told the CCA’s impact on Washington gas prices would be minimal, a few cents a gallon, but quickly rose to about 25 cents a gallon.

The four initiatives being considered by voters this fall include initiative 2109, which would repeal Capital Gains Tax, initiative 2124, opting out of long-term care coverage, and initiative 2117 dealing with a so called “hidden gas tax,” prohibiting state agencies from imposing any type of carbon tax credit trading, including “cap and trade” or “cap and tax” programs, regardless of whether the resulting increased costs are imposed on fuel recipients or fuel suppliers, and I-2066 to “protect reliable, affordable energy choices like natural gas and propane” and prohibits gas bans in Washington.

Regarding budget and taxes, neither candidate seemed to give a direct answer to how they could balance the state budget while keeping costs down, as the state projects an adjustment of $500 million less in revenues this year.  Washington state currently has a $4.1 billion surplus.

Ferguson cited his time on the King County Council where he served as Chair for the Budget Leadership Team overseeing a multi-billion-dollar budget working in a bipartisan environment.

Reichert criticized Ferguson for hiring 400 additional attorneys at the AG’s office for a total of an 800-person legal team while at the same time not expending political capital to increasing law enforcement personnel in the state. Reichert continued to share how crime and drug-related homelessness is a drain on the economic prosperity of Washington state,

“Yes Dave, you are right, we have 800 attorneys, and I am proud of each and every one of them,” Ferguson replied. “Guess what those attorney’s do, we grew our criminal division in our office to make sure we are fighting on behalf of Washingtonian.”

“During last night’s gubernatorial debate, Bob Ferguson claimed that his tenure in the Attorney General’s office has led to cost savings for the state of Washington. That claim is belied by the facts,” said Senate Minority Leader Senator John Braun (R-Centralia). “Under A.G. Ferguson’s leadership, the state of Washington has lost over $1 B in tort claims. A.G. Ferguson has blown a massive hole in Washington state budgets.”

In an August 2024 press release, the AG’s Office announced “last decade as a result of lawsuits and its handling of consumer complaints,” it has won more than $2.6 billion— “$800 million in the form of direct payments, debt relief and consumer credits;” and “$1.8 billion for increased government and non-profit services, including $1.1 billion to combat the fentanyl epidemic.”

Steering into reproductive rights, Reichert pledged to do everything in his power, as governor, to protect existing abortion access laws in Washington State. He did, however, avoid directly answering Reporter Joyce Taylor’s question which was what he would do to respond to the 50% increase in demand for abortion services since Roe v. Wade and the one-week delay period it can take to receive those services.

Ferguson said that he would make investments to ensure that Washingtonians, and those traveling from outside the state to access reproductive care, have access to services. He then turned to attacking Reichert personally, claiming that he does not support protecting reproductive rights in Washington and that his position on the subject shifts depending on his audience.

Reichert did, in fact, support three bills—the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act of 2013, 2015, and 2017—while in congress on criminalize any person who performed an abortion after 20 weeks with exception where the life of the mother is at risk and in cases involving rape or incest.

ABORTION RIGHTS IN WASHINGTON STATE

On November 5, 1991, Washington voters approved initiative 120 (50.4% to 49.96%) declaring that a woman has a right to choose physician performed abortion prior to fetal viability (24 to 25 weeks into pregnancy).

The initiative made it Washington State public policy that:

• Every individual has the fundamental right to choose or refuse birth control;
• Every woman has the fundamental right to choose or refuse to have an abortion, except as specifically limited by this act;
• Except as specifically permitted by this act, the state shall not deny or interfere with a woman’s fundamental right to choose or refuse to have an abortion; and
• The state shall not discriminate against the exercise of these rights in the regulation or provision of benefits, facilities, services, or information.

Based on current Washington law, the overturning of Roe v. Wade has no immediate effect or impact. However, the state legislature—of which both chambers are in Democratic control—in Washington has the ability at any time to expand or prohibit the termination of a pregnancy.

Any action by the legislature would need to be signed into law by the governor, who holds veto power. In Washington, governors can veto entire bills and entire sections of legislation which can be overturned with two-thirds vote by the legislature.

The two also deliberated on transportation, indigenous rights, and gun rights before closing comments.

The second gubernatorial debate is scheduled for 6 p.m., Wednesday, September 18 at the Fox Theater in Spokane and sponsored by the Association of Washington Business and Greater Spokane Inc. KHQ-TV in Spokane will broadcast live and stream at nonstoplocal.com. KOMO News in Seattle will televise live. 

On October 18, Washington voters will begin receiving their General Election ballots to turn in by 8 p.m. on November 5 to cast their pick on who will replace outgoing Governor Jay Inslee for the next four years.

Who do you think won the gubenatorial debate tonight?@washdems @WAGOP @BobFergusonAG @reichert4gov

— Lynnwood Times (@LynnwoodTimes) September 11, 2024

Editor’s Note: Mario Lotmore, contributed to this article.