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Washington

Governor of Washington

Election day · November 7, 2028

Statewide race. Each issue below lists every candidate's stance, what they have said in their own words, and the policies they say they want to implement — with sources.

Head to head

Leading Republican

Dave Reichert

Republican · Former U.S. Representative · Defeated

Dave Reichert is a former U.S. Representative for Washington's 8th congressional district and former King County Sheriff who ran as the Republican candidate for Governor of Washington in 2024.

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Leading Democrat

Bob Ferguson

Democratic · Attorney General of Washington · Governor-elect

Bob Ferguson is an American attorney and politician who has served as the Attorney General of Washington since 2013 and was elected Governor of Washington in 2024.

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The issues

Abortion

Dave Reichert

Opposes

Reichert holds personal anti-abortion views but stated he would uphold existing Washington voter-approved protections for legal abortion access.

In their words

  • “I'm not going to change the law on abortion in Washington state.”

Policies they want to implement

  • Maintain current Washington statutory protections on abortion

Bob Ferguson

Supports

Ferguson supports protecting and expanding legal access to reproductive healthcare and abortion services in Washington State.

In their words

  • “We will continue to defend reproductive freedom in Washington state.”

Policies they want to implement

  • Protect reproductive healthcare access in state law
  • Shield healthcare providers from out-of-state legal action

Immigration

Dave Reichert

Opposes

Reichert advocates for increased border security, enforcement of immigration laws, and opposition to sanctuary policies.

Policies they want to implement

  • Increase border enforcement measures
  • Review state sanctuary policies

Bob Ferguson

Supports

Ferguson supports state protections for immigrants and refugees and opposes federal efforts to restrict civil rights based on immigration status.

Policies they want to implement

  • Defend Washington Keep Washington Working Act
  • Protect civil rights for immigrant communities

Healthcare

Dave Reichert

Mixed

Reichert advocates for market-based healthcare solutions, price transparency, and improved mental health treatment options.

Policies they want to implement

  • Increase medical price transparency
  • Expand mental health treatment capacity

Bob Ferguson

Supports

Ferguson supports expanding healthcare coverage, lowering prescription drug prices, and strengthening public health access.

Policies they want to implement

  • Cap prescription drug costs
  • Expand public health coverage options

Middle East Conflict

Dave Reichert

No public position

Nothing on record.

Bob Ferguson

No public position

Nothing on record.

Economy & Jobs

Dave Reichert

Mixed

Reichert advocates for lowering taxes, cutting state regulations, and reducing administrative costs to stimulate economic growth.

Policies they want to implement

  • Reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses
  • Oppose new state taxes

Bob Ferguson

Mixed

Ferguson advocates for strengthening labor rights, expanding green energy employment, supporting small businesses, and growing the middle class.

Policies they want to implement

  • Invest in clean energy economy jobs
  • Protect collective bargaining and worker rights

Housing

Dave Reichert

Mixed

Reichert supports cutting environmental and zoning regulations to reduce building costs and increase private home construction.

Policies they want to implement

  • Streamline housing development permitting
  • Reduce state impact fees on home building

Bob Ferguson

Mixed

Ferguson supports increasing housing supply, expanding state funding for affordable housing, and strengthening protections for renters.

Policies they want to implement

  • Increase funding for affordable housing construction
  • Streamline residential permitting processes

Public Safety

Dave Reichert

Mixed

Reichert emphasizes law enforcement support, increased penalties for crime, addressing public drug use, and reforming criminal justice policies.

Policies they want to implement

  • Increase funding and recruit law enforcement officers
  • Enforce stricter penalties for drug trafficking and property crime

Bob Ferguson

Mixed

Ferguson supports funding local police recruitment, cracking down on organized retail theft, enforcing gun safety laws, and improving behavioral healthcare.

Policies they want to implement

  • Provide state grants for hiring local law enforcement officers
  • Enforce state firearm background check and safety laws