Given my endorsement of Dave Reichert in the race for governor, Bob Ferguson’s campaign informed us earlier this year that it will not respond to our questions. Fair enough. I can only hope others in the news media will do enough to vet those who seek the highest office in our state. Now is not the time to hold back.
In the spirit of trying to help inform voters, here are 15 fair and important questions the media should attempt to get Bob Ferguson to answer before Election Day.
1. Emergency powers
During the pandemic, Governor Jay Inslee maintained a state of emergency for 975 days – giving him broad authority to act without approval from the legislature. Would you support legislation limiting a governor’s emergency powers? If so, what type of limits do you propose adding?
2. Lowering costs
In the first TV ad of your campaign, you focused on lowering costs for families. Can you name one tax or tax increase passed during three-terms of the Inslee administration that you did not support?
3. WA Cares
You do not support Initiative 2124 making the state's long-term care program optional. Why should Washingtonians be forced to pay into a program if they do not want to use it later in life?
4. Crime and disorder
In the summer of 2020, you did not speak out publicly during or after riots and looting in downtown Seattle, where police cars were lit on fire and high-powered police rifles were stolen. You also did not speak out during the month-long occupied protest zone on Seattle’s Capitol Hill, where several people died, and an entire police precinct was rendered inoperable. As the state's chief law enforcer, please explain why you chose to stay silent during such a profound period of lawlessness.
5. Police staffing
In your first TV ad of the campaign, you pledged to hire more police officers to improve public safety. Washington state has the lowest number of police officers per capita of any state in the nation. Name one reason – excluding monetary reasons, such as bonuses and increased pay or benefits – that a police officer would choose to work in Washington under a Governor Bob Ferguson.
6. Police pursuits
Earlier this year, you told King 5 News that you did not support a bill, passed by Democrats and signed into law by Governor Inslee in 2021, that dramatically limited police pursuits. There is no record of you voicing that opposition in 2021, 2022, or 2023. Given that you weighed in publicly on other legislation during those three years, why did you not take a public position on police pursuits until the law was fixed via initiative in 2024?
7. Prices at the pump
You do not support Initiative 2117 to repeal the Climate Commitment Act. Regardless of your stance on the initiative, do you believe the Climate Commitment Act has contributed to an increase in gas prices for Washington drivers, yes or no?
8. Homelessness
Both Governor Jay Inslee and King County Executive Dow Constanine have stated that the fundamental cause of our homeless crisis is a lack of affordable housing. Do you agree?
9. Drug abuse
In an April 2021 interview on KUOW, you urged state lawmakers to "eliminate the criminal penalties associated with possessing a non-commercial amount of drugs." Given the extent of our state’s drug and overdose crisis, and the failure of a similar experiment in Oregon, do you still believe the legislature should move to decriminalize deadly drugs like fentanyl?
10. Capital gains
Currently, Washington’s capital gains tax excludes profits from the sale of someone’s primary home. Would you veto any bill that seeks to include profits from the sale of a primary home as capital gains?
11. Energy choice
Last week, Let's Go Washington turned in 546,000 signatures to send I-2066, which preserves energy choice, to the ballot. Would you sign a law restricting or banning the use of natural gas as an option for homes and businesses?
12. Fair play
As both a candidate for governor and as the father of a female athlete, do you believe biological boys should be able to compete against biological girls in state-sanctioned athletic competitions?
13. Gun control
Despite gun control laws spearheaded by you and your office, gun-related crimes have spiked in Washington state in recent years – including shots fired, shootings on highways, and homicides committed with guns. With more gun control in Washington state than ever before, why do you believe it isn't having the desired effect on crime?
14. Election interference?
You have been criticized for directing Secretary of State Steve Hobbs to alter the order on the primary ballot, placing two other candidates beneath you. Hobbs has since stated that he informed you such an action would have violated state election laws. In hindsight, do you regret this request?
15. Status quo
In a recent campaign ad, you said you "have never been satisfied with the status quo." In what way would a Bob Ferguson administration be fundamentally different than the Jay Inslee administration?
We have given these questions to the Ferguson campaign and will update this story in the unlikely event we hear back.
Join the conversation: If you could ask Bob Ferguson one question face-to-face, what would it be? Comment below.
