Longtime Washington state attorney general and former sheriff known for his work tracking down Green River Killer He advanced Tuesday to November’s general election in the battle to become the next governor of 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, faced more than two dozen candidates in the primary. Ferguson proclaimed victory in a social media post.
“General elections start today. Let’s win,” he wrote.
Ferguson will face former U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, a Republican, in November. The race has been marked by weeks of intense jousting between the two rivals.
“The voters of Washington sent a message that they are ready for 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 tracking work. Gary Ridgwaythe so-called Green River Killer.
Ted S. Warren / AP
Earlier this year, authorities confirmed the last known set of remains linked to the serial killer belonged to a 16-year-old Tammie Liles, who had already been identified as a victim. Liles’ identification came about a month after another of Ridgway’s victims was identified – a 15-year-old girl Lori Anne Ratzpotnik.
Reichert wrote a book about his 20-year quest to capture Ridgway, titled “The Devil’s Hunt.”
