August 6 Primary Election Candidate Profiles

Bob Ferguson

I have spent my entire career in public service fighting to advance the cause of justice and improve the lives of Washingtonians. I am running for Governor to improve public safety, lower skyrocketing housing and grocery costs, and protect our essential freedoms. I want to change the culture of our state government to center the interests of the people of our state. That is why I reject contributions from corporations and large corporate PACs.

I've worked on both sides of the mountains, starting my legal career in Spokane. I've started my second tour of all 39 counties of Washington-including memorable trips to speak with residents of Garfield, Asotin, and Columbia County. In every part of the state, I hear from families who struggle with public safety, affordability, behavioral health, education, and numerous other issues. I am not satisfied with the status quo.

My top priority is improving public safety. As Governor, I will launch funding for understaffed law enforcement agencies to hire more police officers to combat crime and fentanyl. As Attorney General, I won over $1 billion to address the fentanyl crisis by taking on powerful drug companies. We're using those funds to increase treatment and first responders. Half of the money is going directly to local governments, including every county in Southeast Washington, to fund solutions that work in your communities.

I'm endorsed by groups representing nurses like SEIU 1199nw and the Washington State Nurses Association, the Washington State Council of Firefighters, and prosecutors because they trust me to improve the mental health system. I worked alongside law enforcement to end the rape kit backlog and bring justice to survivors. As Governor, I will bring people together to solve our public safety challenges.

My wife Colleen and I are raising teenage twins. I know high housing prices make it hard for too many families across Washington. I'll work with both parties for commonsense solutions to address homelessness and rising housing costs-building 200,000 affordable homes in four years. I will increase opportunities for every Washingtonian to get ahead by investing in career education, skills training, and apprenticeships.

Too often, special interests, bureaucracy, and a culture of saying "no" get in the way of helping working people. I take on the toughest fights, solve problems, and get things done for you-not powerful interests.

Dave Reichert

Dave Reichert's record of service to others began in 1971 when he joined the Air Force Reserves' 939th Military Airlift Command.

Following his time in the military, Reichert embarked on an historic 33-year law enforcement career at the King County Sheriff's Office. Dave started as a beat cop before he was appointed (then elected) King County Sheriff where he led an 1,100-person organization for eight years.

As lead detective of the tenacious and dedicated investigative team, Reichert worked alongside officers, medical examiners, and volunteers to capture the monster known as the "Green River Killer" who senselessly murdered countless women in Washington State during the 1980s and 1990s.

Reichert was honored by the National Sheriff's Association with their "Sheriff of the Year" award, was a two-time Medal of Valor Award recipient and was also given the Attorney General's Award for "courageous action".

In 2004, responding to calls for service in Washington D.C., Reichert ran for and won election to Washington's 8th Congressional District covering large parts of King and Pierce Counties.

Reichert would go on to win every race for Congress, including presidential years where the District backed the Democratic nominee.

Reichert quickly rose through the ranks and became the sixth freshman representative in history to be named chairman of a subcommittee when he led the Homeland Security Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee. He would later become a senior member of the most powerful panel in Congress – the Ways & Means Committee – where he worked to keep taxes low as chairman of the Tax Subcommittee, helped improve our nation's foster care system as chair of the Human Resources Subcommittee, and became chairman of the Trade Subcommittee where he championed free-trade agreements critical to over 248,000 jobs in Washington State.

Reichert was an unequivocal leader when it came to preventing violence against women, child safety, supporting first responders, and showed an independent streak in protecting Washington's environment and natural resources.

After leaving Congress in 2019, Reichert responded to a modern-day humanitarian crisis by working throughout Central America to combat human trafficking.

Reichert has also been instrumental in helping law enforcement across the country obtain Rapid DNA, a technology that provides a full DNA profile in just 90 minutes.

Reichert, who lives with his wife Julie in Chelan, has three children, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren - all residing in Washington state.

Mark Mullet

Mark Mullet currently represents East King County in the Legislature.

First elected to the Senate in 2012, Mark is currently the Vice Chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, where he also serves as the leader of the State Construction budget. Mark also serves on the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Business and Financial services committee. Mark is also the Senate rep on the Washington State Investment Board that manages our state's $200b in pension assets. The WSIB provides pension benefits for all public employees. Mark's widely recognized as a collaborative legislator skilled at bringing people together across the aisle to work on major issues like public safety and affordability.

Mark currently owns several small businesses, including a Zeeks Pizza restaurant and four Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream shops. From 2009 to 2013 Mark served on the Issaquah City Council. Before that, Mark worked for more than twelve years in International Finance at Bank of America, and UBS, before returning home to Washington in 2006.

Mark earned a Master's degree in public administration from the Evans School at the University of Washington in 2008 and he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in Finance from Indiana University in 1994. He attended Foster High School in Tukwila and was the Washington State High School tennis champion in 1989 and 1990.

Mark's wife Kelley has been a teacher in the Issaquah school district since 1999. They have six children, who are in high school and college, and they all currently attend or graduated from public school in the Issaquah School district.

In 2023, Mark was named the Washington State Farm Bureau Legislator of the year and is proud to be endorsed by the Washington State Tree Fruit Growers in the Governor's race.