The 2024 Washington gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2024. The top-two primary was held on August 6. Incumbent Democratic Governor Jay Inslee was eligible to seek a fourth term but decided that he would not do so. The Democratic candidate, state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, defeated the Republican candidate, former Congressman Dave Reichert, who conceded defeat on November 19. Ferguson defeated Reichert with 55.51% of the vote in the general election. He also became the first Democrat to win Clallam County since 2000.
This election marked the 11th consecutive victory of the Democratic candidate for governor of Washington. Washington has not had a Republican governor since John Spellman left office in 1985, 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).
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 was considered the Democratic frontrunner. The two new candidatesâÂÂa retired state employee and a U.S. Army veteranâÂÂresigned 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.
with Bird, Ferguson, Franz, Garcia, and Mullet<br />
with Constantine, Dammeier, Ferguson, and Franz<br />
with Inslee, generic Republican, and generic Democrat<br />
Aggregate polls<br />
Bob Ferguson vs. Semi Bird<br />
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
Ferguson won six of ten congressional districts, with the remaining four going to Reichert, including two that elected Democrats.
Partisan clients<br />
Official campaign websites