In response to Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s victory in the Washington gubernatorial race, Evergreen Action Senior State Program Director Justin Balik released the following statement:

“Tonight, Washingtonians voted to continue the state’s role as a national climate leader by electing Bob Ferguson governor. Over the past 12 years in Washington state, Governor Jay Inslee has been one of the most consequential governors on climate policy in American history. Bob Ferguson has a proven record of climate leadership and is poised to build upon Washington’s nation-leading climate policies. As attorney general, Ferguson was a staunch defender of both state and national climate policies, winning a litany of cases to block Trump’s anti-climate policies, creating a new environmental protection division, and defending Washington’s Climate Commitment Act in court. As governor, Ferguson will bring that same dedication to advancing and protecting Washington’s climate progress, starting with implementing this nation-leading law. 

“From passing landmark environmental justice and 100 percent clean energy legislation to writing the playbook for economy-wide carbon reduction laws, Inslee transformed what state climate leadership could look like. Inslee’s presidential campaign and his gold-standard climate plan have left an indelible mark on climate policy in America, shaping the core principles of the Biden-Harris Inflation Reduction Act, and inspiring millions of climate advocates, including our organization. 

“We look forward to seeing Governor Inslee’s continued leadership over the next two months as governor and in the climate movement for years to come. But for today, we would just like to say, thank you.”