OLYMPIA, Wash. — With Election Day only months away, the race to be Washington state's next governor is heating up and the list of candidates continues to grow.
Gov. Jay Inslee announced last year he would not seek reelection for a fourth term after thinking "long and hard." Inslee was last reelected in 2020, becoming the second governor in Washington state to be elected to a third consecutive term.
Republican state party chair Caleb Heimlich said his party now has the chance to reclaim the governor’s office. No Republican has been governor in Washington since John Spellman left office in 1985.
So far, there are eight Democrats, 10 Republicans, one Independent, one Libertarian, two Constitution, and two no party preference party candidates.
The filing deadline is May 10. The nonpartisan primary election is Aug. 6 and the general election is Nov. 5.
Democratic candidates
Bob Ferguson
Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson officially announced his candidacy in September 2023. Ferguson launched an exploratory committee the day after Inslee said he would not seek reelection which allowed him to begin fundraising efforts.
Ferguson has received endorsements from the state's heavyweight elected officials including Inslee, Rep. Jayapal, Sen. Murray, King County Executive Dow Constantine and more.
Ferguson was first elected as Washington’s Attorney General in 2012. He also previously served on the King County Council.
Mark Mullet
State Sen. Mark Mullet announced his candidacy for governor on June 1, 2023.
Mullet, D-Issaquah, has represented the 5th Legislative District since 2012. Originally from Tukwila, Mullet served on Issaquah's City Council from 2009-2013.
In his campaign announcement, Mullet said he is focused on education issues, affordable housing, ensuring streets and neighborhoods are safer and combating climate change.
EL'ona Kearney
Former military intelligence analyst EL'ona Kearney launched her campaign in 2022. According to Kearney's campaign website, her priorities include homelessness and the cost of living, education, safety and reproductive rights.
Other Democratic candidates include Edward Cale, Fred Grant, Cassondra Hanson, Chaytan Inman and Don Rivers
Republican candidates
Dave Reichert
Former U.S. Representative and King County Sheriff Dave Reichert said he is ready to return to public service as Washington’s governor.
“I want to be there as a servant. I want to be a listener,” Reichert said. “We all say, ‘Government needs to be transparent and open.’ Nobody ever keeps their word with that.”
In his first interview since filing for the office on June 30, 2023, Reichert said after leaving Congress in 2019, he has been frustrated with what he sees as partisanship and government becoming too powerful.
Reichert is the biggest Republican name to enter the race so far.
Reichert is best known for solving the Green River killings.
Misipati Semi Bird
Misipati Semi Bird, a Richmond School Board member, announced his candidacy in November.
Bird said in his announcement video that he is running for "safe communities, quality in education and economic opportunity for all."
Other Republican candidates include James Daniel, Laurel Khan, Kristin Schuler, and Martin Wheeler. Yakima doctor Raul Garcia dropped out of the race in July.
Other Republican candidates include Jim Daniel, Tim Ford, Laurel Khan, Leon Lawson, Daniel Miller, Kriss Schuler, Tony Tasmaly, and Martin Wheeler.