SPOKANE, Wash. – Wednesday night’s debate between Democrat Bob Ferguson and Republican Dave Reichert featured contentious exchanges and disputed claims. NonStop Local’s Truth Tracker team examines some of these claims to provide clarity for Washington’s voters.
Claim 1: Did Dave Reichert say he wanted to “unravel” state protections for abortions?
During the debate, Attorney General Bob Ferguson accused Dave Reichert of planning to undo Washington’s abortion protections, citing a recording taken from a Vancouver Town Hall event hosted by conservative group Firmly Planted Action.
Referencing a Seattle Times article, Ferguson said: “Reichert responded by noting that state law protected abortion, and now (the Seattle Times) quote(d) your response, ‘But what we have to do now is work towards unraveling all that.’”
The recording of Reichert addressing the right-wing advocacy group is real. However, Reichert claims it was taken out of context, stating it did not refer to abortion rights.
KUOW, an NPR station in Seattle, released the entire exchange on their YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78w9J3DWfiE&ab_channel=KUOW), including the question posed to Reichert.
“We have a government that has offered to come and have medical operations that other parts of the world have banned, that’s the danger (*incomprehensible words*) trans surgeries and things like that,” the unnamed commenter said. “And also, as people standing for the value of life, how can we limit or eliminate money that goes to organizations that are against life, like Planned Parenthood?”
In his response, Reichert discussed fighting against sanctuary cities and unraveling laws related to these areas.
“So just as an example, in 2019 (Governor Jay) Inslee had an executive order, we are a sanctuary state. No law,” Reichert said. “So if it were still an executive order, when we get elected, we could go in and reverse that immediately. The problem is that it has become legislation. All of this, the things you just mentioned, are now legislation. So what we have to do now is to work towards unraveling all that.”
While advocating against funding for organizations like Planned Parenthood relates to abortion rights, the recording never has Reichert take a stance on the current Washington abortion laws, rather a stance on sanctuary state status, pro-choice organization funding and transgender surgery legalization.
Conclusion: Mostly False
Claim 2: Are farmers and truckers paying for Climate Commitment Act taxes they’re supposed to be exempt from?
Reichert claimed the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), which Ferguson supported, is overcharging farmers and agricultural truckers for gas taxes they’re supposed to be exempt from.
“Why would you support a piece of legislation that says that truck drivers are exempt, farmers are exempt, but yet there’s no mechanism within the law that allows that to happen,” Reichert said. “Farmers and truck drivers have to pay that gas tax.”
NonStop Local’s coverage of the issue last month shows this issue was very real during the rollout of the Climate Commitment Act, which frustrated farmers to the point where the Washington Farm Bureau has come out in support of the CCA’s repeal. ()
However, while there were initial issues with the rollout, the Department of Ecology has since put mechanisms in place to address proper exemptions.
“There are providers in every part of the State of Washington now providing the exemptions as called for by the law,” Department of Ecology spokesperson Andrew Wineke told NonStop Local in August.
While farmers initially faced difficulties, they do not currently have to pay the tax as Reichert claimed.
Conclusion: Half True
Claim 3: Did Dave Reichert vote in favor of three nationwide abortion bans in Congress?
Ferguson accused Reichert of voting for a nationwide abortion ban that criminalizes doctors during his time in the U.S. Congress.
Reichert voted in favor of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act in 2013, 2015, and 2017. These bills aimed to make it illegal for doctors to perform abortions after 20 weeks, with exceptions for rape and incest cases.
Referring to it as a “ban” is a strong term because the bills allowed abortions up to five months.
Conclusion: Half True
Claim 4: Were the abortion bills Dave Reichert voted on in Congress similar to Washington law?
Reichert responded that the laws he supported were similar to current Washington state laws.
“I voted on a viability law that allows women to have a choice up to 20 weeks,” Reichert said. “It’s almost exactly the same law that exists in Washington State today.”
Washington allows abortions until the fetus could live outside the womb on its own. This viability, determined by doctors, can vary widely. However, the King County website (https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dph/health-safety/health-centers-programs-services/birth-control-sexual-health/abortion-services) lists providers offering abortions as late as 26 weeks, more than the 20-week limit in the bills Reichert supported.
Given the six-week difference between the proposed laws Reichert voted on and Washington’s state laws, our Truth Tracker finds Reichert’s bills were fundamentally different from the current laws in Washington.
Conclusion: Half True
