New Poll Shows Ferguson Coasting to Election as State's New Governor

Attorney General Bob Ferguson enjoys a comfortable lead as he seeks to be Washington’s sixth consecutive Democratic governor, according to a new statewide poll conducted for the Northwest Progressive Institute. The survey, which interviewed 571 likely voters, found Ferguson with 48 percent, ex-U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert at 41 percent, with 10 percent undecided. The AG’s lead has grown slowly in these polls, from four percent in a February to six percent in May and July, to its present seven percent.

Three states are picking new governors this year. A fellow Democratic AG, Josh Stein in North Carolina, has moved to a double-digit lead over MAGA Republican Lt. Governor Mark Robinson. Robinson hasn’t helped his cause by describing himself as a “Black Nazi” writing on an adult website. Ex-U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, a Republican, is expected to win in New Hampshire.

“Ferguson is in very good shape for a candidate running for an open gubernatorial position in Washington,” said Andrew Villeneuve, executive director of the Redmond-based Northwest Progressive Institute.

Villeneuve is an active Democrat and NPI’s poll taker, Public Policy Polling, has Democratic roots. But PPP’s previous findings have been on the mark, notably its prediction of Sen. Patty Murray’s margin of victory two years ago. Its latest survey, with Ferguson up by seven points, shows a tighter race than the most recent Cascade/PBS-Elway survey, which found Ferguson with a 51-37 percent lead over Reichert.

https://www.postalley.org/2024/10/19/new-poll-shows-ferguson-coasting-to-election-as-states-new-governor/

Ferguson Campaign Outspends Reichert’s by 10 to 1

Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s campaign and an independent PAC supporting his bid for governor outspent Republican Dave Reichert and supporting PACs 10-1 from Sept. 1 through mid-October.

Candidates and committees involved in the November election owed a key filing to the Public Disclosure Commission this week. There’s lots of interesting stuff in these disclosures, but the bottom-line numbers in the governor’s race are particularly telling.

If you’ve been watching TV lately, you’ve likely seen a lot of ads hyping Ferguson, the Democratic candidate for governor, and attacking Reichert, the Republican and former congressman. Here’s why: Ferguson’s campaign spent more than $3 million over the last six weeks, compared to less than $1 million for the former King County Sheriff. Overall, Ferguson has raised more than $12 million, compared to $6 million for Reichert.

The last time the governor’s office was genuinely up for grabs, then-Attorney General Rob McKenna tapped Republican-leaning donors for $13.7 million and actually beat then-Congressman Jay Inslee in the money race before losing the actual race. Independent spending in that race was basically even. The closed GOP wallets in this race speak volumes about the party’s diminished brand and slim chances in 2024.

https://www.postalley.org/2024/10/20/ferguson-campaign-outspends-reicherts-by-10-to-1/