Though most of the November 5th news coverage and attention was focused on the presidential Election, nine local Washington positions were also up for vote on the ballot. Although many incumbent candidates won their reelection campaigns, some key positions, including governor, had two new candidates. Bob Ferguson, Denny Heck, Adam Smith, and Maria Cantwell were the electors for some of the most important positions on the ballot, and will take office in January.
Governor Bob Ferguson:
After Jay Inslee’s 12-year term as the Governor of Washington state, former Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson was elected with a 13% margin of victory. Following a Democratic governor pattern consistent since the 1981 election, Ferguson continues to uphold Washington’s strong stance as a blue state.
He started his political career as a member of the King County City Council where he sponsored legislation to improve health care for veterans and was integral in raising $50 million annually to increase mental health support within the state. In 2012, he was elected as Washington Attorney General and reelected in 2016 and 2020.
As Governor, Ferguson plans to defend civil rights, public safety, affordable housing, and the environment. One of the more unique issues he addresses is the decline of the ferry system, which he immediately plans to implement solutions to fix.
Abortion is one of the most threatened rights in our country currently, especially with the election of Donald Trump. Ferguson is a “champion for reproductive freedom” according to his campaign website, and has a strong previous record defending the right to choose. To protect Washington’s access to abortion medication after being threatened by a federal judge in Texas, he led and won a multi-state lawsuit. Ferguson also helped former Governor Inslee obtain a three-year stockpile of abortion medication.
In a country raging with political turmoil, Ferguson promised not to pull punches away from big issues and to “protect core freedoms.”
Washington State, Lt. Governor
Washington’s Lieutenant Governor since 2020, Democrat Denny Heck was reelected for another 4-year term with a nearly 14% lead. Before this position, Heck served as a representative for Washington’s 10th congressional district from 2019-2021 and was a member of the Washington House of Representatives from 1977 to 1985.
The Lieutenant Governor serves as the President of Washington’s Senate, leading parliamentary discussion, and becomes Acting Governor in the absence of Ferguson.
Denny Heck promises to stand for progressive policies and fight to hold President Trump accountable. He is also a strong advocate for climate policies. As the sponsor of the Save Our Sound legislation, Heck was integral in the establishment of the Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office. He was a proponent of Initiative 163, which enacted a carbon emission fee, although it was not passed.
According to his campaign website, Heck “is a proven leader who will bring civility and fairness to legislative debate,” and “upholds a long-time commitment to effective, transparent government.”
Congressional District 9, U.S. Representative
Washington state has 10 congressional districts and 10 elected congress members. Hazen High School and its students are seated within the 9th Congressional District, represented by Adam Smith since 1997, and beat fellow Democrat Melissa Chaundry to represent the district for the next 2 years.
Smith is a Washingtonian born and raised and attended both Western Washington University and the University of Washington School of Law. As a congressman, his top priority is ensuring equal access to education and job opportunities for people of all economic classes. Smith also addresses the importance of immigration in our country and the strong positive impact immigrants have on our economy and communities. He has worked to develop legislation to reform our immigration detention system, support refugees, and create a clearer path to citizenship.
Adam Smith served as a congressman under Trump’s presidency and has previously spoken out against him. After the Senate voted to acquit Trump for his involvement in the January 6th insurrection he gave a statement sharing that “There is no question that Trump violated his oath of office. He incited this mob, encouraged his supporters the morning of the attack, and refused to denounce or stop the violence which ultimately led to the death of five Americans, including members of law enforcement.”
As House Armed Services Committee Chairman and Ranking member, Smith has been a strong advocate for veterans and military families and denounced Trump’s statements stating “He has no respect for our military; he views our service members as window dressing for his cosplay of the American presidency.”
Senator
Democrat Senator Maria Cantwell was first elected to the Washington State Senate in 2000 and has continually upheld the position in the three elections since.
Coming from a working-class family and relying on Pell Grants to become the first college graduate from her family, Cantwell is a huge advocate for equal economic access to healthcare and education. She has fought hard and won to cut taxes for middle-class families and opposed attempts to raise electricity prices from the Bush administration.
Cantwell was one of the original composers of the DREAM Act, legislation to protect undocumented immigrants who arrived in America as children and are vulnerable to deportation. She supports comprehensive immigration reform and will continue to fight against the despicable conditions in detention centers.
In reaction to increasingly high Fentanyl use in Washington, Cantwell has and continues to strive to create accessible healthcare hubs, what she sees as the most effective solution as opposed to harsher policing and longer prison time. Two hubs have already been funded locally, but Cantwell hopes to take them nationwide, providing medication, overdose education, housing, and recovery services.
