Debate Preview: Ferguson Must Answer for his Support of the Status Quo that has Hurt Washington’s Businesses

September 18, 2024

BELLEVUE, WA – Tonight, the Association of Washington Business will host the second gubernatorial debate between Republican Dave Reichert and Democrat Bob Ferguson in Spokane. It will air live at 6pm on KOMO and KHQ.

 

As the candidates take the stage to debate in front of an audience made up of the state’s entrepreneurs, Ferguson will have to answer for why he supports the same policies that have led to Washington being one of the worst states to start a business according to Forbes.

 

Ferguson will also have to explain why he voted to raise $1 billion in taxes while on the King County Council. Ferguson will surely try to spin that he’s an ally for Washington state business owners while being unable to name a single Inslee tax increase he doesn’t support.

 

Instead of confronting his hostile record toward businesses, Ferguson will deflect and smear Dave Reichert’s record by spreading fear and falsehoods that he knows to be untrue.

 

Ferguson will once again lie about Reichert’s record on abortion, teachers, and the presidential race to distract from a record that is wildly out-of-step with Washington voters who want to see change. Will he attack the debate’s moderators again when his lies are challenged?

 

Ferguson will also have to answer for spiraling crime that has occurred on his watch and his misguided support for policies such as the decriminalization of fentanyl that are crippling small businesses. Just this month, a downtown Spokane restaurant announced it would close up shop because of crime and rampant drug use made it difficult to ensure the safety of its customers.

 

Washington voters want change and tonight they’ll see that Bob Ferguson can’t deliver that. Dave Reichert can and will.