2024 Washington Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage


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OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Hilary Franz: I'll ensure that WA is a sanctuary for reproductive care.     Mark Mullet: Enshrine the right to abortion in our state's constitution.     Bob Ferguson: Protect the right to bodily autonomy, reproductive freedom.     Dave Reichert: Pro-life with exceptions; but no plans to change state laws.     Semi Bird: I value all life, from conception through natural death.

Budget & Economy     Dave Reichert: Focus on lowering gas prices and property taxes .     Semi Bird: Be a steward of taxpayer dollars.

Civil Rights     Semi Bird: Left abandoned him, a black man, over policy disagreements.     Mark Mullet: Voted against repeal of state ban on affirmative action.     Bob Ferguson: Won case guaranteeing rights for same-sex couples.     Bob Ferguson: Strongest civil rights division fighting discrimination.     Semi Bird: Stop perpetrating the scare of a national racist threat.

Corporations     Mark Mullet: It's time for a small business owner mentality.

Crime     Mark Mullet: Restore law enforcement's ability to pursue criminals.     Bob Ferguson: Increased protections for survivors of human trafficking.     Dave Reichert: Led team that captured the "Green River Killer".     Dave Reichert: Co-sponsored Thin Blue Line Act to punish cop killers .     Semi Bird: Mandatory maximum sentence for fentanyl distribution.     Dave Reichert: Communities are suffering a devasting public safety crisis.     Mark Mullet: State partnerships to invest in local public safety.     Semi Bird: Back the Blue.

Drugs     Hilary Franz: Criminal justice sector not set up to handle addiction.     Bob Ferguson: Prepared to defend state marijuana legalization against DOJ .     Semi Bird: I will make Schedule 1 drugs a felony again.     Bob Ferguson: Rated F by NORML: stiffen penalties for cannabis.     Jay Inslee: Rated A by NORML: expunge low-level marijuana convictions.     Mark Mullet: Share state cannabis tax revenue with cities and counties .

Education     Semi Bird: Parental access to ALL curriculum materials used in class.

Energy & Oil     Semi Bird: Won't be giving up our gas engines by 2035, an insane idea.

Environment     Bob Ferguson: Defended Obama-era climate change protections.     Semi Bird: No ESG: no environmental investment.     Hilary Franz: $500M for DNR to prevent wildfires.

Families & Children     Mark Mullet: Remove Christian Science exemption for treating children.     Dave Reichert: Personal experience leads to focus on domestic violence.     Semi Bird: Let parents parent, and let children be children.

Foreign Policy     Semi Bird: Government has money for Ukraine, not doing good for America.     Semi Bird: Prevent CCP from owning land in Washington State.     Hilary Franz: Special relationship with Israel more important than ever.     Raul Garcia: Born in Cuba; passion for service from authoritarian regime.

Free Trade     Hilary Franz: Trade war with China has had significant impact on state.     Dave Reichert: Chaired Trade Subcommittee; championed free-trade agreements.

Government Reform     Semi Bird: If elected, imposing term limits would top his agenda.     Bob Ferguson: Secured the largest campaign finance penalty in history.     Dave Reichert: Lower taxes and reduce regulations to grow economy.     Dave Reichert: Make state government open, responsive, and inclusive.     Semi Bird: Yes to Voter ID; yes to Electoral College.

Gun Control     Semi Bird: Will overturn assault weapons ban, there's no such thing.     Bob Ferguson: Ban the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.     Semi Bird: Give teachers guns, and training with concealed carry.

Health Care     Semi Bird: No child will undergo a "gender affirmation" surgery.     Bob Ferguson: Defended the Affordable Care Act from legal attack.     Hilary Franz: I'll work to lower the Medicare age & expand benefits.     Mark Mullet: Supports opting out of state long-term care program .

Homeland Security     Semi Bird: Told conflicting stories about court-martial as a Marine.     Bob Ferguson: Strengthened consumer protections for veterans, military .     Hilary Franz: Support our veterans and military families.     Semi Bird: Served in Marine Corps and Army National Guard.

Immigration     Hilary Franz: Supports legal status for firefighting DREAMers.     Bob Ferguson: Opposed Muslim Travel Ban; blocked rescinding DACA.     Dave Reichert: Voted against bill blocking funds to "sanctuary cities".     Semi Bird: Secure all borders against human and narco-trafficking.

Jobs     Bob Ferguson: Defended state's minimum wage against legal challenge.     Semi Bird: Minimum wage determined by the market, not mandated.

Principles & Values     Semi Bird: Calls himself a "constitutional Christian conservative".     Semi Bird: His life a testament to greatness of God and America.     Hilary Franz: Was kidnapped by close family member at age 3.     Bob Ferguson: An internationally rated chess master.     Bob Ferguson: "Three Bobs": Two other Robert Fergusons on ballot?     Bob Ferguson: Against claim "guy upstairs" responsible for climate change.     Raul Garcia: Ran for Governor in 2020 & 2024;then switched to Senate race.     Semi Bird: OpEd: Got 9% in primary; MAGA bubble bursting in blue state.

Social Security     Mark Mullet: Long-term care payroll tax is unnecessary tax increase.     Hilary Franz: Supports providing benefits for people caring for elderly.

Tax Reform     Hilary Franz: Raising taxes may be needed to address homelessness.     Mark Mullet: Voted against capital gains tax to fund state's schools.     Mark Mullet: We can't keep solving every problem by creating a new tax.     Bob Ferguson: Surtax on big banks makes state's tax system fairer.     Semi Bird: Provide tax relief; reduce spending; restructure welfare.     Dave Reichert: Deal with substantially increased taxes and spending .

Technology     Mark Mullet: Traffic sucks; prioritize infrastructure investments.

War & Peace     Semi Bird: Support Israel for global security purposes.

Welfare & Poverty     Semi Bird: Cause of homelessness is mental illness, not affordability.     Dave Reichert: Appoint Director of Homelessness: apply what's working.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Bob Ferguson Washington Democratic Challenger Dave Reichert Washington Republican candidate for Governor Hilary Franz Washington Democratic Challenger Jay Inslee Washington Democratic Washington Governor Mark Mullet Washington Democratic Challenger Raul Garcia Republican Challenger Washington Semi Bird Washington Republican Challenger

The above quotations are from 2024 Washington Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage.
WA 2024 debates: Gov. Jay Inslee (D, retiring);
Hilary Franz (D, withdrew)
vs. State Sen. Mark Mullet (D)
vs. County Chair Semi Bird (R)
vs. WA Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D)
Past WA gubernatorial races:
2020 Washington Gubernatorial debate
Jay Inslee(D)
vs.Loren Culp(R)
vs.Bill Bryant(R)
vs.Phil Fortunato(R)
Former gubernatorial races:
2016 Washington Gubernatorial debates:
Jay Inslee
vs.Seattle Port Commissioner Bill Bryant(R)

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