Democrat Bob Ferguson has emerged victorious in the Washington gubernatorial election held on Tuesday, successfully defeating Republican former U.S. Representative Dave Reichert. Ferguson, who has previously served as the state’s attorney general for three terms, gained significant national attention by filing numerous lawsuits against former President Donald Trump’s administration. Notably, he was responsible for the legal action that halted Trump’s initial travel ban affecting citizens from several predominantly Muslim countries.

The campaign was largely centered around issues of public safety, with Ferguson emphasizing his commitment to allocating funds to assist cities in hiring additional police personnel. Furthermore, he advocated for the preservation of abortion rights and addressed the continuing ramifications of Trump’s time in office. The state of Washington has not seen a Republican in the governor’s mansion for nearly four decades, making this election particularly significant.

Ferguson’s win was officially declared by the news outlet at 11:29 p.m. EST Tuesday night, marking a pivotal moment in the state’s political landscape as he prepares to take on the responsibilities of governor amidst ongoing discussions on safety and social issues.