2024 Washington gubernatorial election

(Redirected from Semi Bird)

The 2024 Washington gubernatorial election will be held on November 5, 2024. The top-two primary was held on August 6. Incumbent Democratic Governor Jay Inslee announced on May 1, 2023 that he would not run for a fourth term.[1] Inslee, who previously served in the U.S. House, was first elected governor in 2012 and won re-election in 2016 and 2020 by increasing margins each time.

2024 Washington gubernatorial election

← 2020 November 5, 2024 2028 →
 
Candidate Bob Ferguson Dave Reichert
Party Democratic Republican

Incumbent Governor

Jay Inslee
Democratic



Washington has not had a Republican governor since John Spellman left office in 1985,[2] the longest streak of Democratic leadership of any state in the country and the third longest streak of one-party leadership after South Dakota (which has not had a Democratic governor since Harvey Wollman left office in 1979) and Utah (which has not had a Democratic governor since Scott Matheson left office nine days prior to Spellman in 1985).[3][4][5] Ferguson is considered by analysts to be the favorite to win the election, due to Washington's strong Democratic lean.

Primary election

edit

Washington is one of two states that holds a top-two primary, meaning that all candidates are listed on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation, and the top two advance to the general election.

The filing deadline was May 10, 2024. On that day, two candidates named Bob Ferguson entered the race at the behest of a conservative activist who sought people with the same surname as Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who is considered the Democratic frontrunner.[6] The two new candidates—a retired state employee and a U.S. Army veteran—resigned from the race on May 13, the deadline to withdraw, after questions about the legality of their campaigns arose. Washington's state statutes prohibit a new candidate with the same surname as an already-filed candidate from running with the intent to confuse or mislead voters.[7]

Democratic candidates

edit

Advanced to general

edit

Eliminated in primary

edit
  • Ricky Anthony, retiree[9]
  • Edward Cale IV, postal worker[10]
  • Fred Grant, communications professional[2]
  • Cassondra Hanson, retail worker[10]
  • Chaytan Inman, artificial intelligence engineer[10]
  • EL'ona Kearney, forgiveness coach[11]
  • Mark Mullet, state senator[12]
  • Don Rivers, retired King County Metro worker and perennial candidate[10]

Withdrawn

edit

Declined

edit

Republican candidates

edit

Advanced to general

edit

Eliminated in primary

edit
  • Semi Bird, P.C.O. and chair for the Benton County Republican Party (2022–present) and former Richland school board member (2021–2023)[20]
  • A.L. Brown[9]
  • Jim Daniel, former Klickitat Hospital Board commissioner[9]
  • Bill Hirt, retired aircraft engineer and perennial candidate[9]
  • Jennifer Hoover, pastor[9]
  • Martin Wheeler, farmer and candidate for governor in 2020[9]

Withdrawn

edit

Declined

edit

Third-party and independent candidates

edit

Eliminated in primary

edit
  • Brian Bogen (Independent), businessman[9]
  • Jim Clark (Independent), computer programmer[9]
  • William Combs (Independent), U.S. Navy veteran[10]
  • Jeff Curry (Independent), school bus driver[9]
  • Frank Dare (Independent), retiree[9]
  • Michael DePaula (Libertarian), enterprise engineer[9]
  • Leon Lawson (Trump Republican[a]), used car dealer, proponent of the QAnon conspiracy theory, candidate for governor in 2020, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022[10]
  • Alan Makayev (Nonsense Busters[a]), property manager[9]
  • Rosetta Marshall-Williams (Independence[a])[9]
  • Brad Mjelde (Independent), retired businessman[9]
  • Andre Stackhouse (Green), nonprofit executive[9]
  • Alex Tsimerman (Standup-America[a]), business consultant and perennial candidate[9]

Endorsements

edit
Semi Bird (R)
County officials
  • 6 County sheriffs[27]
Local officials
Individuals
Political parties
Party chapters
Bob Ferguson (D)
U.S. Senators
U.S. Representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
  • 25 state senators[39]
  • 31 state representatives[39]
County officials
Local officials
Tribal officials
Individuals
Newspapers
Organizations
Labor unions
Tribes
Mark Mullet (D)
Statewide officials
State legislators
Local officials
Organizations
Dave Reichert (R)
State legislators
Local officials
County officials
Party chapters
Hilary Franz (D) (withdrawn)
Organizations

Polling

edit
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
Semi
Bird (R)
Bob
Ferguson (D)
Mark
Mullet (D)
Dave
Reichert (R)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D)[A] July 24–25, 2024 581 (LV) ± 4.0% 10% 39% 5% 28% 18%
SurveyUSA[B] July 10–13, 2024 564 (LV) ± 5.2% 7% 42% 4% 33% 14%
RMG Research May 20–23, 2024 800 (RV) 4% 33% 5% 31% 21%
Cascade PBS/Elway Research May 13–16, 2024 403 (RV) ± 5.0% 5% 22% 6% 20% 47%
Public Policy Polling (D)[A] May 15–16, 2024 615 (LV) ± 4.0% 11% 35% 4% 28% 22%
Echelon Insights[C] March 18–21, 2024 600 (RV) ± 4.7% 7% 23% 5% 28% 37%
Public Policy Polling (D)[A] February 13–14, 2024 789 (LV) ± 3.5% 9% 35% 4% 27% 25%
Echelon Insights[D] December 9–13, 2023 500 (RV) ± 5.5% 5% 27% 3% 28% 37%
Public Policy Polling (D)[A] November 14–15, 2023 700 (LV) ± 3.7% 10% 31% 5% 31% 22%
Hypothetical polling
with Bird, Ferguson, Franz, Garcia, and Mullet
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
Semi
Bird (R)
Bob
Ferguson (D)
Hilary
Franz (D)
Raul
Garcia (R)
Mark
Mullet (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D)[A] Jun 7–8, 2023 773 (LV) ± 3.5% 10% 25% 9% 17% 7% 33%
with Constantine, Dammeier, Ferguson, and Franz
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
Dow
Constantine (D)
Bruce
Dammeier (R)
Bob
Ferguson (D)
Hilary
Franz (D)
Other /
Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D)[A] March 7–8, 2023 874 (LV) ± 3.3% 7% 35% 21% 7% 30%
with Inslee, generic Republican, and generic Democrat
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
Jay
Inslee (D)
Generic
Republican
Generic
Democrat
Undecided
Crosscut/Elway December 27–29, 2022 403 (RV) ± 5% 34% 35% 17% 14%

Results

edit
 
Results by county:
  Ferguson
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   60–70%
  Reichert
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
Blanket primary results[59]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bob Ferguson 884,268 44.88%
Republican Dave Reichert 541,533 27.48%
Republican Semi Bird 212,692 10.79%
Democratic Mark Mullet 119,048 6.04%
Trump Republican[a] Leon Lawson 35,971 1.83%
Republican Jim Daniel 29,907 1.52%
Democratic Cassondra Hanson 24,512 1.24%
Democratic EL'ona Kearney 24,374 1.24%
Republican Jennifer Hoover 15,692 0.80%
Green Andre Stackhouse 11,962 0.61%
Democratic Don Rivers 9,453 0.48%
Republican Martin Wheeler 7,676 0.39%
Democratic Chaytan Inman 6,427 0.33%
Democratic Ricky Anthony 6,226 0.32%
Independent Jeff Curry 6,068 0.31%
Democratic Fred Grant 5,503 0.28%
Independent Brian Bogen 4,530 0.23%
Republican A.L. Brown 4,232 0.21%
Libertarian Michael DePaula 3,957 0.20%
Independence[a] Rosetta Marshall-Williams 2,960 0.15%
Independent Jim Clark 2,355 0.12%
Democratic Edward Cale 1,975 0.10%
Standup-America[a] Alex Tsimerman 1,721 0.09%
Republican Bill Hirt 1,720 0.09%
Write-in 1,347 0.07%
Independent Frank Dare 1,115 0.06%
Nonsense Busters[a] Alan Makayev 1,106 0.06%
Independent William Combs 1,042 0.05%
Independent Brad Mjelde 991 0.05%
Total votes 1,970,363 100.0%

General election

edit

Predictions

edit
Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[60] Likely D August 27, 2024
Inside Elections[61] Likely D September 1, 2023
Sabato's Crystal Ball[62] Likely D June 4, 2024
RCP[63] Likely D July 13, 2024
Elections Daily[64] Safe D July 12, 2023
CNalysis[65] Solid D August 17, 2024

Fundraising

edit
Campaign finance reports as of September 7th, 2024
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Bob Ferguson (D) $10,198,845 $7,127,476 $3,071,369
Dave Reichert (R) $4,875,059 $3,900,877 $974,182
Source: Washington State Public Disclosure Commission[66]

Debates

edit
Date Ferguson Reichert Link
September 11, 2024 Participant Participant YouTube

Polling

edit
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
Bob
Ferguson (D)
Dave
Reichert (R)
Undecided
Cascade PBS/Elway Research September 3–6, 2024 403 (RV) ± 5.0% 50% 39% 9%
Cygnal (R) August 28–30, 2024 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 48% 45% 8%
Public Policy Polling (D)[A] July 24–25, 2024 581 (LV) ± 4.0% 49% 43% 8%
DHM Research July 12–17, 2024 500 (RV) ± 4.4% 45% 32% 22%
Public Policy Polling (D)[A] May 15–16, 2024 615 (LV) ± 4.0% 48% 42% 10%
Echelon Insights[C] March 18–21, 2024 600 (RV) ± 4.7% 30% 39% 31%
Public Policy Polling (D)[A] February 13–14, 2024 789 (LV) ± 3.5% 46% 42% 11%
Echelon Insights[D] December 9–13, 2023 500 (LV) ± 5.5% 35% 39% 26%
Public Policy Polling (D)[A] November 14–15, 2023 700 (LV) ± 3.5% 44% 46% 9%
Hypothetical polling
Bob Ferguson vs. Semi Bird
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[c]
Margin
of error
Bob
Ferguson (D)
Semi
Bird (R)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D)[A] July 24–25, 2024 581 (LV) ± 4.0% 52% 38% 10%

Results

edit
2024 Washington gubernatorial election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bob Ferguson
Republican Dave Reichert
Write-in
Total votes

Notes

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Not an actual political party. In Washington, independent candidates are allowed to choose a ballot label
  2. ^ Locals 6, 775, 925, Healthcare 1199NW, and Committee of Interns and Residents
  3. ^ a b c d e f Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
Partisan clients
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Poll sponsored by the Northwest Progressive Institute
  2. ^ Poll sponsored by The Seattle Times, KING 5, and the University of Washington Center for an Informed Public
  3. ^ a b Poll sponsored by Concerned Taxpayers of Washington State PAC
  4. ^ a b Poll sponsored by Future 42, a conservative group

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Furtado, David (May 1, 2023). "Governor Inslee announces he will not seek re-election". KEPR. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "The candidates running to be Washington's next governor". February 17, 2024.
  3. ^ Wood, Benjamin (July 19, 2019). "Zachary Moses, a Democratic candidate for governor, wants to break up Republican control of Utah and build a space port". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  4. ^ Scott, Dylan (November 7, 2018). "Kristi Noem elected first woman governor of South Dakota". Vox. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  5. ^ Camden, Jim (January 16, 2018). "John Spellman, Washington's last Republican governor, dies". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  6. ^ Withycombe, Claire (May 10, 2024). "Three Bob Night: Two more Bob Fergusons running for WA governor". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  7. ^ Withycombe, Claire (May 13, 2024). "Bob's Your Uncle: 2 Bob Fergusons withdraw from WA governor's race". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  8. ^ "Washington AG Bob Ferguson officially launches gubernatorial campaign". KOMO. September 9, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "PRIMARY 2024 Candidate List". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Frisk, Garrett (November 10, 2023). "Bob Ferguson Is Likely To Be Washington's Next Governor. Who Stands in His Way?". Diamond Eye Candidate Report. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  11. ^ Villalovas, Eden (June 26, 2023). "Washington governor race fills up as GOP tries to win back control for the first time in 40 years". Washington Examiner. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  12. ^ Withycombe, Claire (June 1, 2023). "State Sen. Mark Mullet announces bid for WA governor". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Markovich, Matt (May 13, 2024). "Both duplicate Bob Fergusons withdraw from governors race". MyNorthwest. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  14. ^ Brunner, Jim (November 10, 2023). "WA lands commissioner Hilary Franz drops out of governor's race to run for Congress". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Brunner, Jim (March 17, 2023). "King County Executive Dow Constantine won't run for WA governor". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  16. ^ Gonzales, Nathan (May 2, 2023). "Races for governor in several states have ties to Capitol Hill". Roll Call. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  17. ^ Cornfield, Jerry (May 25, 2023). "Heck launches re-election bid for lieutenant governor". Washington State Standard. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  18. ^ a b Gutman, David; Girgis, Lauren (September 9, 2023). "Jay Inslee endorses Bob Ferguson to succeed him as WA governor". The Seattle Times.
  19. ^ Mikkelsen, Drew (July 7, 2023). "Dave Reichert wants to be state's 'servant' as governor". KING 5. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  20. ^ Sowersby, Shauna (November 11, 2022). "Controversial Richland school board member announces bid for Washington governor in 2024". The Olympian. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  21. ^ Sowersby, Shauna (July 7, 2023). "Raul Garcia steps out of gubernatorial race to make way for former U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert". The News Tribune.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h Villenueve, Andrew (June 28, 2023). "Is Dave Reichert getting ready to run for governor in 2024? It sure looks that way". The Cascadia Advocate. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  23. ^ Brunner, Jim (October 9, 2023). "Former U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler plans to run for WA lands commissioner". The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  24. ^ Gilbert, L. B. (May 1, 2023). "Who's next for WA Governor? Top candidates to follow a decade of Inslee". MYNorthwest. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  25. ^ a b Wolf, Stephen (June 22, 2023). "Daily Kos Elections Live Digest: 6/22". Daily Kos. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  26. ^ Santos, Melissa (May 2, 2023). "May 2, 2023 - Politics With Inslee out, here's who might run for Washington governor". Axios. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  27. ^ a b O'Sullivan, Joseph (July 31, 2023). "WA governor candidate Semi Bird set for school board recall vote". Crosscut.com. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  28. ^ "Semi Bird challenging Dave Reichert for GOP nomination for WA governor". The Seattle Times. November 26, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  29. ^ "Semi Bird receives GOP endorsement for Washington governor". KREM. April 20, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  30. ^ "Benton County Republican Party endorsements". Benton County Republican Party. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  31. ^ "Clark County Republican Party endorsements". Clark County Republican Party. June 30, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  32. ^ Cowlitz County Republican Party. "Semi Bird for Governor" – via Facebook.
  33. ^ "SCRP Endorses Semi Bird for Governor and Jim Walsh for WSRP State Chair". Skagit County Republican Party. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  34. ^ a b Brunner, Jim (November 26, 2023). "Semi Bird challenging Dave Reichert for GOP nomination for WA governor". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on November 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  35. ^ "Snohomish County Republican Party". Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  36. ^ "Ferguson Gets Cantwell's Endorsement for Governor". postalley.org. October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  37. ^ Sumrall, Frank (January 22, 2024). "Sen. Patty Murray endorses Bob Ferguson for Wash. governor". KIRO-FM. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  38. ^ a b c d "WA Attorney General Bob Ferguson announces campaign for governor". The Seattle Times. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  39. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Frisk, Garrett (May 5, 2023). "Democrat Bob Ferguson Announces Laundry List of Endorsements in Washington Governor Race". Diamond Eye Candidate Report. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  40. ^ "Daily Kos Elections Live Digest: 5/31". Daily Kos. May 31, 2023.
  41. ^ Nir, David (September 11, 2023). "Daily Kos Elections Live Digest: 9/11". Daily Kos. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  42. ^ "Here's who The Times editorial board recommends for WA governor | Editorial". The Seattle Times. July 7, 2024.
  43. ^ "The Stranger's Endorsements for the August, 6, 2024 Primary Election". July 31, 2024.
  44. ^ "Brady PAC Endorses Bob Ferguson for Washington State Governor". Brady PAC. May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  45. ^ "Fuse Washington Endorses Bob Ferguson for 2024, Slate of Candidates for 2023 | Fuse Washington". fusewashington.org. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  46. ^ "IFPTE Proudly Endorses Bob Ferguson for Governor of Washington". International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers. October 24, 2023. Archived from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  47. ^ "SEIU 925 and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW members are proud to endorse Bob Ferguson as the next Governor of Washington State". SEIU Healthcare 1199NW. October 12, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  48. ^ "SEIU 775 Endorses Bob Ferguson for WA Governor 2024 – SEIU775". September 20, 2023. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  49. ^ "Washington". UAW Endorsements. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  50. ^ "Endorsements". UFW. Archived from the original on September 11, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  51. ^ Groves, David (February 1, 2024). "WSLC votes to endorse Bob Ferguson for Governor". The STAND. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  52. ^ "Colville Tribes endorse Bob Ferguson for governor". Source ONE News. November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  53. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Villeneuve, Andrew (June 1, 2023). "Washington State Senator Mark Mullet launches 2024 gubernatorial campaign". The Cascadia Advocate. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  54. ^ "News Release: Homebuilders Endorse Mullet for Governor". Building Industry Association of Washington. June 30, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  55. ^ Zodrow, Andru (June 19, 2024). "Who from Spokane has endorsed Dave Reichert for Governor?". KHQ-TV. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  56. ^ "Grant County GOP Endorses Dave Reichert for Governor". Source ONE. March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  57. ^ Brunner, Jim (April 8, 2024). "GOP candidates battle for endorsement in Washington governor race". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  58. ^ "Our 2024 Endorsements". National Women's Political Caucus of Washington. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  59. ^ "August 6, 2024 Primary Results - Governor". Office of the Secretary of State of Washington. August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  60. ^ "2024 Governor Race ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  61. ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  62. ^ "2024 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  63. ^ "2024 Governor Races". realclearpolling.com. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  64. ^ "Election Ratings". Elections Daily. July 22, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  65. ^ "Governor Forecasts". CNalysis. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  66. ^ "Candidates". Washington State Public Disclosure Commission. August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
edit
Official campaign websites