(The Center Square) – Washington state gubernatorial candidates Dave Reichert and Bob Ferguson faced off on Wednesday evening in what is scheduled to be their second, and last, debate of the 2024 campaign.
Both men threw sharp elbows in the contest, keeping the full house in downtown Spokane’s historic Fox Theater engaged.
Ferguson referred people several times to his website for audio clips of Reichert purporting to be caught in “hot mic” moments. Reichert recommended listening to the full context of the incidents, saying, “Man, he can lie with a straight face.”
The enthusiastic live audience resisted a request from KHQ-TV moderator Sean Owsley to refrain from applause.
It was the seventh time the Association of Washington Business has hosted a gubernatorial debate.
AWB joined with Greater Spokane Inc., the local Chamber of Commerce, and broadcast partner with KHQ-TV as co-sponsors.
KHQ news anchor Kalae Chock and Austin Jenkins, host of TVW’s “Inside Olympia,” joined Owsley in questioning the candidates.