(The Center Square) – Washington attorney general candidates Nick Brown, a Democrat, and Pete Serrano, a Republican, reached one point of agreement during their Wednesday debate in Spokane – sometimes Gov. Jay Inslee drives them both crazy.
“And some of you, too, judging by the reaction,” said Serrano, as the audience laughed.
Beyond that, the two men have different perspectives on the role of attorney general.
Paul Reed, publisher of the Journal of Business, moderated the debate at the Association of Washington Business 2024 Policy Briefing.
His first query to the candidates was about the various roles of the Office of the Attorney General.
Serrano pointed to the state constitution and said he seeks to refocus the office on its primary assignment of advising state agencies and officers. He pushed back on how current Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who is running for governor, has expanded into work he regards as legislative activism.
In his view, the attorney general’s duty is to ensure that agencies comply with the state constitution and safeguard the people from regulatory overreach.