OLYMPIA, Wash. — Democrat Bob Ferguson is projected to be Washington state's next governor.
Ferguson secured 57% of the vote after returns were released Thursday afternoon. He continues to hold a 13-point lead over Republican Dave Reichert.
Ferguson would replace three-term Gov. Jay Inslee next year.
Counties will release additional results in the days after the election as more ballots are counted. Additional results are typically released daily.
“I am honored that Washingtonians have chosen me to fight for them," Ferguson said in a prepared statement. "To the thousands of supporters and volunteers who helped make this victory possible — thank you."
Ferguson said he would make announcements in the coming weeks about the team he's building to lead the state, beginning in 2025.
Ferguson is the current state attorney general. Ferguson was first elected as Washington’s attorney general in 2012. He also previously served on the King County Council.
Reichert said his campaign is "still hopeful" and he is not ready to concede.
"There’s still hundreds of thousands of votes yet to be counted," he said. "So we’re going to wait and honor all of those people who take the time to send in their ballots."
Reichert is a former U.S. representative and King County sheriff. Reichert served with the King County Sheriff's Office for 33 years before being elected to Washington's 8th Congressional District in 2004. He left Congress in 2019.
The top issues for both candidates through their campaigns were public safety, housing and affordability and healthcare - specifically women's reproductive rights. For an in-depth look on where they stand, click here.
The governor is elected to a four-year term and is the chief executive officer, making appointments for state positions, including state agency directors. The governor also has the power to sign or veto legislation and submit budget recommendations and reports to the Legislature.
