Dishonest Bob Ferguson
BELLEVUE – The Washington State Republican Party (WSRP) is drawing attention to the dishonest tactics of Attorney General Bob Ferguson in his race for the Governor’s office in 2024. Recent campaign finance reports reveal not only dubious fundraising practices, but also a clear violation of the spirit of Washington’s campaign finance laws.
“Ferguson’s gubernatorial campaign portrays itself as a ‘grassroots’ movement, but the reality is far different,” said WSRP Chairman Caleb Heimlich. “He has utilized a loophole in the Public Disclosure Commission’s (PDC) rules to transfer over $1.2 million in surplus campaign funds from past campaigns to his 2024 gubernatorial bid, giving a false impression of widespread support.”
The transfers began on April 24, more than a week before Ferguson announced his candidacy for governor. What Ferguson advertises as a surge of ‘grassroots’ support is in truth simply a reallocation of existing funds.
“Dishonesty has been a recurrent theme in Ferguson’s political career,” continued WSRP Chairman Caleb Heimlich. “His office has been sanctioned multiple times for withholding critical documents in legal proceedings and his office sabotaged the $30 car tabs Initiative passed by Washington voters, clear indications of his disregard for transparency and honesty.”
The PDC recently voted unanimously to adopt new guidance on surplus fund transfers, effectively closing the loophole that Ferguson exploited. However, it remains unclear whether this new rule will apply to transfers already made. Ferguson was swift to assert that he will ‘respect’ these new surplus restrictions but implied he would not retroactively apply this updated guidance to his prior transfers.
“Washingtonians deserve a governor who embodies democratic values and respects the will of the people,” said WSRP Chairman Caleb Heimlich. “Ferguson’s dishonest tactics should raise serious concerns about his suitability for the state’s highest office.”
“Ferguson’s gubernatorial campaign portrays itself as a ‘grassroots’ movement, but the reality is far different,” said WSRP Chairman Caleb Heimlich. “He has utilized a loophole in the Public Disclosure Commission’s (PDC) rules to transfer over $1.2 million in surplus campaign funds from past campaigns to his 2024 gubernatorial bid, giving a false impression of widespread support.”
The transfers began on April 24, more than a week before Ferguson announced his candidacy for governor. What Ferguson advertises as a surge of ‘grassroots’ support is in truth simply a reallocation of existing funds.
“Dishonesty has been a recurrent theme in Ferguson’s political career,” continued WSRP Chairman Caleb Heimlich. “His office has been sanctioned multiple times for withholding critical documents in legal proceedings and his office sabotaged the $30 car tabs Initiative passed by Washington voters, clear indications of his disregard for transparency and honesty.”
The PDC recently voted unanimously to adopt new guidance on surplus fund transfers, effectively closing the loophole that Ferguson exploited. However, it remains unclear whether this new rule will apply to transfers already made. Ferguson was swift to assert that he will ‘respect’ these new surplus restrictions but implied he would not retroactively apply this updated guidance to his prior transfers.
“Washingtonians deserve a governor who embodies democratic values and respects the will of the people,” said WSRP Chairman Caleb Heimlich. “Ferguson’s dishonest tactics should raise serious concerns about his suitability for the state’s highest office.”
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