By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square
The battle for the governorship in Washington state is set: Democratic Attorney General Bob Ferguson is running against Republican Dave Reichert, a former sheriff and congressman from King County. But what about the voters who did not vote for either Ferguson or Reichert in Tuesday’s primary?
According to results released Wednesday evening, Ferguson received 45.08% of the total vote, while Reichert received 28.08%, putting Ferguson ahead by more than 200,000 votes.
“We are exactly where we thought we would be – and within reach,” Reichert told The Center Square Thursday morning.
He expressed confidence that his campaign was within striking distance of Ferugson.
“When you look at Bob’s numbers, you have to be a little nervous about their campaign because they haven’t hit the 50 percent mark,” Reichert said. “I think it’s going to be a very close race.”
Republican Semi Bird, the candidate supported by the Republican Party of Washington State, had received just under 10% of the total vote by Wednesday evening.
Democratic Senator Mark Mullet received just under 6%.
“Republicans have to work harder and harder, but it can be done,” said Jim Walsh of Aberdeen, chairman of the Republican Party in Washington state, who also sits in the state House of Representatives.
“I think Mullet’s supporters are the demographic that both camps will be trying to appeal to,” Walsh told The Center Square. “Mark Mullet represents an important segment of the electorate (moderate Democrats) that could end up being the deciding factor in who wins in November.”
In an interview with The Center Square on Thursday afternoon, Mullet admitted to being disappointed with the outcome of the primary election.
“I’m surprised more voters aren’t looking for a more moderate, centrist option, but that doesn’t seem to be the case,” Mullet noted.
He continued, “If you oppose unnecessary tax increases, you will never be the preferred Democrat; it’s that simple.”
Mullet said he was not prepared to support any of the candidates in the general election.
“I have never supported a candidate who was not for free choice and marriage equality, and I don’t see that changing,” he said, referring to the Reichert campaign.
“On the Ferguson side, I want to see a more cooperative and supportive attitude toward the business community because I don’t think his hostile attitude toward Washington state is helping them,” Mullet said.
“I am not supporting any of the candidates at the moment,” he reiterated.
The Center Square reached out to the Ferguson campaign for comment and received the following response from campaign manager Bayley Burgess: “Washington residents who voted for a Democrat will never support a Republican like Dave Reichert, who opposes marriage equality and has voted for three statewide abortion bans.”
The most important factor in the former police officer’s chances of winning in November may be converting Bird supporters into Reichert voters.
“Bird lovers are passionate people, but they also want to win,” Walsh stressed. “I don’t think we need to do anything theatrical to get them to support Reichert. I think it will happen naturally, and if you look at social media, it’s already happened.”
Some Bird supporters may be willing to support Reichert, but according to a post On X, formerly known as Twitter, by KUOW reporter Scott Greenstone, Bird will not endorse Reichert.
Reichert said his priorities aligned more with Mullet than Ferguson.
“He’s a person I respect a lot because he reaches out across party lines and wants to work with others,” Reichert said of Mullet, adding that he understands that Mullet is not yet ready to endorse anyone.
“Common sense and logic prevail, and the main issues facing the state are public safety, which I have decades of experience in, homelessness and substance abuse, mental illness and of course the economy,” Reichert continued. “And of course the right of parents to be involved and to know what their children are being taught; these are key issues that cut across the political spectrum.”
Reichert told The Center Square he knows he needs every single vote, and he is confident voters who did not show up in the primary will show up in the Nov. 5 general election.
