by Laurel Demkovich, Washington State Standard
November 12, 2024
State lawmakers from both parties, lobbyists, local elected officials, lawyers, tribes and unions all have a seat at Bob Ferguson’s table as he moves into the role of governor.
Ferguson on Tuesday announced a 53-person team that will help with the transition from Gov. Jay Inslee to the new administration. They’ll assist Ferguson as he works to implement his priorities in the first 100 days of his new administration and looks for ways for the government to better serve Washington’s residents, according to the governor-elect’s office.
“Transition is a critical time for our state,” Ferguson said in a statement. “I’m grateful to this team for dedicating their time and energy.”
Ferguson’s picks include mayors like Lisa Brown in Spokane, Carl Florea in Leavenworth and Victoria Woodards in Tacoma. There’s a host of current and former state lawmakers, including Democrats, Monica Stonier, House majority floor leader, and Andy Billig, former Senate majority leader, and Republican Rep. Tom Dent, of Moses Lake.
Former Democratic state Sen. Mark Mullet – Ferguson’s opponent in the governor’s race primary earlier this year – is also on board.
There’s representation from the business sector, like lobbyist Denny Eliason, and Dave Mastin, vice president of government affairs at the Association of Washington Business. Labor groups also get space with April Sims, president of the Washington State Labor Council, and Sterling Harders, president of Service Employees International Union 775.
Ferguson also chose leaders from the Kalispel, Snoqualmie, Puyallup and Quinault tribes, statewide environmental groups, police advocacy groups and Planned Parenthood of Washington.
“We will focus on delivering practical, commonsense solutions to the challenges facing our state,” Ferguson said. “This team brings a wealth of knowledge and experience.”
Along with helping Ferguson implement his initial priorities, the team will get a chance to help vet people interested in serving in Ferguson’s cabinet and administration.
Inslee’s office estimated last year there would likely be a 70% turnover among staff once the three-term governor’s tenure was up. His administration has been preparing to transition for the last year by archiving records, determining staff buyout packages, and meeting with both final gubernatorial candidates ahead of the November election.
Ferguson’s team will also identify “strategies to safeguard Washingtonians from the potential harms of another Trump administration and Project 2025,” according to a press release. Ferguson and incoming Attorney General Nick Brown have already been prepping their legal teams to challenge Trump-backed policies that might violate Washington laws.
The transition team plans to meet for the first time Nov. 22.
Ferguson’s transition team
Jennifer Allen, CEO, Planned Parenthood of WashingtonLourdes Alvarado-Ramos, former director, State Department of Veterans AffairsJorge Baron, King County councilmemberAndy Billig, former state Senate majority leaderLisa Brown, Spokane mayorMark Brown, former Department of Labor & Industries director and Lacey mayorMarty Brown, former Office of Financial Management directorNick Bumpous, president, UA Local 598Joan Crooks, former CEO, Washington Environmental Council/ WA Conservation VotersState Rep. Tom Dent, Legislative District 13Djibril Diop, legislative and political director, Washington Education AssociationDenny Eliason, business advocateLuke Esser, former state representative, Legislative District 48Hugh Ewart, president Aduna HealthcareCarl Florea, Leavenworth mayorLeo Fuller, attorney and member of the University of Washington Board of RegentsOllie Garrett, president TABOR 100Faye Guenther, president, UFCW 3000Sterling Harders, president SEIU 775Paul Harris, state senator-elect, Legislative District 17Toshiko Hasegawa, Port of Seattle commissionerDenny Heck, lieutenant governorCurt Holmes, vice chair Kalispel TribeGerry Johnson, founder and partner, Pacifica Law GroupMary Kipp, president, Puget Sound EnergyDennis Lawson, president, Washington State Council of Fire FightersMarko Liias, state senator, Legislative District 23Marty Loesch, former chief of staff to former governor Chris GregoireJohn Lovick, state senator, Legislative District 44Alyssa Macy, CEO, Washington Conservation ActionMamie Marcuss, former chief of staff to Attorney General Bob FergusonJaime Martin, Snoqualmie TribeDave Mastin, former state representative, Legislative District 16Anne Mcenerny-Ogle, Vancouver mayorSylvia Miller, vice chair, Puyallup Tribe of IndiansHamdi Mohamed, Port of Seattle commissionerMark Mullet, former state senator, Legislative District 5Tim Probst, former state senator, Legislative District 49Paula Sardinas, small business owner and advocateTana Senn, state representative, Legislative District 41Fawn Sharp, vice chair, Quinault TribeApril Sims, president, Washington State Labor CouncilDave Somers, Snohomish County executiveSteve Strachan, executive director, Washington Association of Sheriffs and of Police ChiefsNeil Strege, Washington RoundtableMonica Stonier, state representative, Legislative District 49Rachel Smith, CEO, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of CommerceYasmin Trudeau, state senator, Legislative District 27Billy Wallace, Washington and North Idaho District Council of LaborersVictoria Woodards, Tacoma mayorSam Virk, small business ownerSung Yang, former chief of staff to King County Executive Dow ConstantineChristian Sinderman will serve as the transition coordinator.Washington State Standard is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Washington State Standard maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Bill Lucia for questions: [email protected]. Follow Washington State Standard on Facebook and X.