SEATTLE — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced his campaign for governor last year opening up the race to fill his seat.
Three candidates have announced their campaign for governor including the former U.S. attorney for western Washington, a state senator from Redmond and the mayor of Pasco.
Here's what you should know about the candidates.
Nick Brown
Former U.S. Attorney for Western Washington and General Counsel to Gov. Jay Inslee Nick Brown announced his campaign for Washington attorney general in July.
Brown was named the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington in 2021 and served until his resignation in June.
“Keeping Washington families safe has been my life’s work,” said Brown in a statement. “As U.S. Attorney, I successfully prosecuted violent crime, drug cartels, and people who preyed on children. As general counsel for Governor Inslee, I stood up to Donald Trump to help stop the Muslim ban. In the Army JAG Corps, I fought to defend our soldiers and our freedom. As Attorney General, I’ll keep fighting for the people and families of Washington every day.”
Brown's endorsements include Inslee, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards, multiple tribes and former and current state representatives.
Brown was raised in Pierce County and eventually earned a law degree from Harvard Law School, serving in the Army as a JAG officer after graduation. Brown also earned a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq.
Manka Dhingra
State Sen. Manka Dhingra, a Redmond Democrat who serves as deputy majority leader, announced her campaign in May.
“Washington has never had an Attorney General with deep experience in criminal prosecution,” Dhingra said in a statement. “I began my legal career in the State Attorney General’s Office assisting with Sexually Violent Predator cases and went on to a two-decade career as a King County Deputy Prosecutor. I’ve put domestic abusers and child predators behind bars, prosecuted gun crimes, and confronted the blind spots in our justice system to improve accountability and reduce crime.”
Dhingra has been a senior deputy prosecutor in King County for the past 20 years and helped train police in crisis intervention.
Dhingra's endorsements include Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, State Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig and multiple current and former state senators.
Pete Serrano
Pasco Mayor Pete Serrano became the first Republican candidate to launch a campaign for attorney general.
“Washington state is in trouble. Criminal activity is at an all time high. Fentanyl overdose deaths are skyrocketing and ripping communities apart. And no one is doing anything about it. As Washington’s next Attorney General I will make it my number one job to ensure criminals are prosecuted, drug dealers are incarcerated and our police officers know the state’s top cop has their back, Serrano said in a statement. "While I disagree with several laws in this state, as Attorney General, it will not be my job to pick winners and losers. I will use all the resources available to the office to defend the Constitution."
Serrano has served on the Pasco City Council since 2017 and is a practicing attorney. Serrano is also the director-general counsel of the Silent Majority Foundation. The foundation is a conservative nonprofit and has filed legal challenges to the state's gun control legislation and COVID-19 orders and mandates.
The last Republican to hold the office was Rob McKenna, who vacated the seat in 2012.
