SPOKANE, Wash. — We're closing in on the final stretch of the Washington Governor's race, but there is still time for candidates to win over voters who remain undecided.
KREM 2 pressed both candidates today on issues important to Eastern Washington.
With just three weeks left until Election Day, Dave Reichert and Bob Ferguson shared why they should be Washington's next governor and what they think of the latest poll numbers.
"Obviously we're pleased with the poll results, but we take any poll with a grain of salt, right?" Ferguson said. "But rather be ahead than behind."
"Come Election Day, hopefully, millions of voters have spoken, and that's really the important poll, right?" Reichert said.
Still, 16% of respondents remain undecided about the race. Both candidates shared what they think is the most critical difference between them.
"I am running on a record that I've created over my career, and the message is that we can, we can bring Washingtonians together," Reichert said.
"We're facing many challenges as a state," Ferguson said. "We need someone who can come into the governor's office and be a change agent."
Both candidates also responded to the perception of a Western Washington "bias" in the governor's office and how they plan to engage with Eastern Washington residents.
"Just like I was the sheriff for all of King County and as I was the congressman for all of the Eighth District, I will be the governor for everyone in Washington State," Reichert said.
Reichert also said that comes in the form of visiting Eastern Washington more.
" I think you have to," Reichert said. "It's not just visits, but you have to listen to people."
When Ferguson was asked the question, he pointed to his background and campaign.
"I've lived and worked on both sides of the mountains," Ferguson said. "Number two, when I launched my campaign, I literally launched it in Spokane. My second stop was the Tri-Cities. Only then did I come to the west side of the mountains. So I'm trying to communicate throughout my time as Attorney General and standing up for all Washingtonians, and in my campaign for governor, I plan to be governor for all Washingtonians."
Following Spokane County's two massive wildfires last year, homeowners have criticized the state's response. Ferguson said the state is doing better, but there's room for improvement.
"I think we would all agree more needs to be done," Ferguson said. "In particular with victims, folks who are harmed. There's a human toll to what happens when it comes to fires. As a governor, we'll make sure we're helping those folks out."
Reichert believes the state should be doing more. He plans to make a deliberate and immediate effort to help wildfire victims.
"We can't have them waiting for assistance for months on end," Reichert said. "We've got to get immediate assistance. It's an emergency management plan that should be in place that ensures that people get the help they need as soon as possible."
As for Washington state's gun laws, Ferguson maintains his support for banning the sale of assault style weapons and what the state considers high capacity magazines.
Reichert doesn't believe those laws make a difference in the amount of gun crime in the state.