Washington state’s longtime attorney general and a former sheriff known for his work in hunting Green River Killer advanced Tuesday to November’s general election in the battle to become the next governor in a Democratic stronghold that hasn’t had an open race for the state’s top job in more than a decade.
Bob Ferguson, a Democrat who has served as attorney general since 2013, went up against more than two dozen candidates in the primary. Ferguson declared victory ia posts on social media.
“The general election starts today. Let’s win,” he wrote.
Ferguson will face former U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, a Republican, in November. The race has involved weeks of intense sparring between the two rivals.
“Washington voters have sent a message that they are ready for a change,” Reichert said in a statement, according to CBS affiliate KIRO-TV. “I am grateful to everyone who voted for me in this primary.”
Reichert is also a former sheriff known for his work in hunting Gary Ridgwaythe so-called Green River Killer.
Ted S. Warren / AP
Earlier this year, authorities confirmed the latest known set is still linked to the serial killer belonged to 16-year-old Tammie Liles, who had previously been identified as a victim. The identification of Liles came about a month after another of Ridgway’s victims was identified – a 15-year-old Lori Anne Ratzpotnik.
Reichert wrote a book about his 20-year quest to capture Ridgway, called “Chasing The Devil.”