Washington's Attorney General and Ex-Sheriff Face Off in Gubernatorial Debate

Bob Ferguson and Dave Reichert vie for governorship in a state that hasn't had an open race in over a decade.

Democrat Bob Ferguson, Washington's Attorney General since 2013, and Republican Dave Reichert, a former sheriff and U.S. Representative, debated in Spokane.
Ferguson secured 45% of votes in the August primary, while Reichert garnered 27%, with another Republican, Semi Bird, obtaining 11%.
Washington state has not had a Republican governor in nearly 40 years, making Reichert's campaign an uphill battle.
Public safety emerged as a key issue, with both candidates pledging to increase police recruitment amid rising violent crime rates.
Ferguson plans to allocate $100 million for local police hiring bonuses, while Reichert emphasizes supporting law enforcement through measures like protecting qualified immunity laws.