2024 Washington gubernatorial election
The 2024 Washington gubernatorial election will be held on November 5, 2024. The top-two primary will be held on August 6.
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As Washington does not have gubernatorial term limits, incumbent Democratic Governor Jay Inslee will be eligible to run for a fourth term.[1]
Background
As a generally liberal West Coast state, 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 L. Wollman left office in 1979) and Utah (which has not had a Democratic governor since Scott M. Matheson left office nine days prior to Spellman in 1985).[2][3][4] Incumbent Governor Jay Inslee, who previously served in the U.S. House, was first elected to the governorship in the 2012 election and won reelection in 2016 and 2020, by increasing margins each time. According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, it is likely that he will become the first governor in Washington state history to win a fourth term in office if he were to seek it.[5]
Primary election
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 move on to the general election.
Publicly expressed interest
Potential
- Jay Inslee, incumbent governor and candidate for President of the United States in 2020[6]
Declined
Declared
- Semi Bird, Richland school board member and chair of the Benton County Republican Party[7][8]
Potential
- Jaime Herrera Beutler, former U.S. Representative for Washington's 3rd congressional district (2011–2023)[9]
Declined
- Bruce Dammeier, Pierce County Executive (2017–present) and former state senator (2013–2017)[6]
Potential
- Leonard Forsman, chair of the Suquamish Tribe[10]
Polling
- with Constantine, Dammeier, Ferguson, and Franz
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[lower-alpha 1] |
Margin of error |
Dow Constantine (D) |
Bruce Dammeier (R) |
Bob Ferguson (D) |
Hilary Franz (D) |
Other / Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[upper-alpha 1] | March 7–8, 2023 | 874 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 7% | 35% | 21% | 7% | 30% |
- with Inslee, generic Republican, and generic Democrat
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[lower-alpha 1] |
Margin of error |
Jay Inslee (D) |
Generic Republican |
Generic Democrat |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crosscut/Elway | December 27–29, 2022 | 403 (RV) | ± 5% | 34% | 35% | 17% | 14% |
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[11] | Solid D | January 13, 2023 |
| Inside Elections[12] | Solid D | January 20, 2023 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[13] | Safe D | January 19, 2023 |
Notes
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
- Partisan clients
- This poll was sponsored by the Northwest Progressive Institute
References
- Regimbal, Alec (August 12, 2021). "With Cuomo's resignation, WA's Jay Inslee is poised to be the longest-serving state governor in US". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
- Wood, Benjamin (July 19, 2019). "Zachary Moses, a Democratic candidate for governor, wants to break up Republican control of Utah and build a space port". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
- Scott, Dylan (November 7, 2018). "Kristi Noem elected first woman governor of South Dakota". Vox. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- Camden, Jim (January 16, 2018). "John Spellman, Washington's last Republican governor, dies". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- Regimbal, Alec (August 12, 2021). "With Cuomo's resignation, WA's Jay Inslee is poised to be the longest-serving state governor in US". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
...it seems likely that he would win a record fourth term if he were to seek it.
- Brunner, Jim (March 17, 2023). "King County Executive Dow Constantine won't run for WA governor". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
- Sowersby, Shauna (November 11, 2022). "Controversial Richland school board member announces bid for Washington governor in 2024". The Olympian. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
- "Rising political leader -- and controversial school board member -- is new Benton GOP chair". December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- Egger, Andrew; Drucker, David; Fahlberg, Audrey (February 22, 2023). "Herrera Beutler Weighing Gov Run, Donors Say". The Dispatch.
- "Visions of a lively 2024 WA gubernatorial race dance in our heads". The Seattle Times. December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- "2024 Governor Race ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
- "2024 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
External links
- Government Documents Round Table of the American Library Association, "Washington", Voting & Elections Toolkits
- "Washington: Election Tools, Deadlines, Dates, Rules, and Links", Vote.org, Oakland, CA
- "League of Women Voters of Washington". (State affiliate of the U.S. League of Women Voters)
- Washington at Ballotpedia
- Official campaign websites