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SEATTLE, WA – Governor-Elect Bob Ferguson announced today that his transition team is now accepting applications from individuals interested in serving in state government. The announcement comes as part of Ferguson's commitment to building a diverse, inclusive and expert-led administration that will solve problems and make government work for the people.

"We are building a government that will fight for Washingtonians’ freedoms, solve problems, and center the people in every decision,” said Governor-Elect Ferguson. “I encourage passionate and qualified individuals from every corner of our state to apply and contribute their skills and vision to public service.”

The transition team is seeking applicants for a variety of roles across multiple state departments and agencies. These positions range from leadership positions at state agencies, to policy advisors and key operational positions, to volunteers who will serve on gubernatorially appointed boards and commissions. These appointments will all help drive the Governor-Elect’s agenda forward. Individuals are encouraged to complete an interest form. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to visit careers.wa.gov to learn more about specific positions open throughout state agencies as they become available.

During his campaign, Ferguson promised to cut down on bureaucracy, advance commonsense solutions, and center the people in all decisions. The transition team will prioritize representation from a broad spectrum of backgrounds to ensure a government that truly represents Washington.

"This is a unique opportunity to contribute to Washington's future and to help implement policies that will improve the lives of all Washington residents,” Ferguson stated.

The transition team looks forward to identifying and welcoming talented individuals who are driven to serve the public with integrity and dedication.

About Governor-Elect Bob Ferguson

Bob Ferguson has dedicated his career to serving the people. He is completing his third term as Washington State's Attorney General. He is committed to improving government and building a stronger future by focusing on key issues such as public safety, health care costs and housing affordability, child care, education, and economic growth.

Jennifer M. Allen, CEO of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, and King County Councilmember Jorge L. Barón will lead committee focused on protecting the rights of Washingtonians 

SEATTLE, WA – Today, Governor-elect Bob Ferguson announced the second Transition Team subcommittee will focus on protecting Washingtonians from Project 2025. The Project 2025 agenda includes gutting access to abortion, mass deportations, limiting access to the ballot box, rolling back LGBTQ+ rights, ending environmental protections, warrantless surveillance, undermining collective bargaining and the rights of workers, and more. 

“We are preparing in case President Trump attacks Washingtonians’ core freedoms,” Governor-elect Ferguson said. “We will keep Washington moving forward no matter what happens at the federal level.” 

The transition working group will be co-chaired by Jennifer M. Allen, CEO of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates (PPAA), and King County Councilmember Jorge L. Barón. At PPAA, Allen oversees the work protecting and promoting reproductive health, rights, and justice in Alaska, Hawai'i, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky and Washington. Councilmember Barón previously served as the Executive Director for the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project from 2008 to 2023. 

“I am honored to assist Governor-elect Ferguson in his transition into this new role and to co-chair this important subcommittee,” said Barón. “As an immigrant and as the proud parent of a trans daughter, I am particularly grateful that the Governor-elect is committed to protecting all Washington state residents, and especially those communities at greatest risk of having their rights attacked by the incoming federal administration.” 

“This is a critical time in our nation as we look to the possibility of our communities being under attack from many different directions. I’m honored to serve on Governor-elect Ferguson’s transition team and to co-chair this subcommittee to support his leadership in our state and country in championing and safeguarding reproductive rights and all of the rights of Washingtonians,” said Allen. 

The subcommittee’s work will culminate in policy priorities for the first 100 days of Ferguson’s term to shore up protections against the Project 2025 agenda. Additional policy focuses of the Transition Team subcommittees will be announced in the coming days. 

About Governor-Elect Bob Ferguson 

Bob Ferguson has dedicated his career to serving the people. He is completing his third term as Washington State's Attorney General. He is committed to improving government and building a stronger future by focusing on key issues such as public safety, health care costs and housing affordability, child care, education, and economic growth. 

Ferguson takes immediate action on key issues: housing, reproductive freedom and permitting reform.
 

OLYMPIA — Following an inaugural address centered on calls for decisive action, Governor Bob Ferguson signed three executive orders less than an hour after taking the oath of office and minutes after concluding his inaugural address.

The orders direct agencies to take action on key issues:

• Housing: The executive order directs state agencies to review all regulations that impact housing, permitting and construction and identify any provision that can be streamlined, deferred or eliminated.
• Reproductive freedom: The executive order directs the Department of Health to convene a roundtable of medical providers, reproductive health experts and policy makers to recommend strategies for protecting reproductive freedom.
• Permitting reform: The executive order directs all state agencies to cut down their permit and license processing times. If an agency does not meet its deadline, it will refund the application fee.

Ferguson’s inaugural address calls for government reform, bipartisanship

In his address, Ferguson recognized the challenges facing the state, but declared his optimism based on Washington’s history and the proven resilience of our people.

He invoked Gov. Dan Evans’ 1965 inaugural address: ‘We are at this moment experiencing great challenges—challenges which test an administration, a legislature and a people. To meet these challenges, we cannot be leisurely when the times call for action.’”

Ferguson called on legislators to embrace the spirit of bipartisanship, and focus on centering the people. He cited multiple bipartisan proposals before the Legislature that have his support.

Click here to read the full text of the speech.

Key quotes:

• “Despite these, and other challenges, I’m optimistic. I know that together we can make real progress and increase opportunities for Washingtonians. Now I admit to being a glass half full kind of guy. But my optimism is warranted for three reasons. First, Washingtonians are among the most resilient, dynamic and innovative people in the world. Second, they are represented by dedicated legislators from diverse backgrounds united by a common commitment to help improve our state. And third, Washington’s history demonstrates, over and over again, that we rise to the challenges placed in our path.”
• Let us listen to one another, without consideration for party, so that the strongest argument prevails. That is how we do our best work.”
• “As your Governor, I will continue this focus on measurable, and ambitious, goals. I will have a bias for action.”
• “I’m in politics because I believe in the power of government to improve people’s lives. At the same time, we must recognize government does not always meet that promise. So let me be clear: I’m not here to defend government. I’m here to reform it.”
• “And speaking of Presidents, let me be very clear — my administration will work with President Trump where we can. We will stand up to him when we must. That most certainly includes protecting Washingtonians’ reproductive freedom.”
• “Our mission must be to speed up government, improve customer service and center the people in every decision we make.”
• “We also must make Washington State more affordable in other ways…To that end, I am excited to work with Senator Riccelli and Representative Berg on legislation to ensure that every student attending K-12 public schools receives free breakfast and lunch as part of their basic education. Right now, if you’re a single parent working full time making 19 bucks an hour, your child doesn’t qualify for free meals. That’s unacceptable. That needs to change. This will improve learning for kids, and save time and money for working parents.”
• “In his 1965 inaugural address, Governor Evans provided us a roadmap to solving our challenges. He said:  ‘This administration is not frightened by the word liberal, nor is it ashamed of the word conservative. It does not believe that the words ‘fiscal responsibility’ are old fashioned nor will it ever fear to spend money if money needs to be spent.’”

Recognizing bipartisan legislative proposals:

• “Representative Connors — I am excited to work with you to get your Homes for Heroes legislation to my desk. Let’s recognize the contributions of police officers, firefighters, behavioral health professionals and other critical public servants and ensure they can access low-interest loans to purchase their first homes.”
• “Representative Davis — You’ve developed a robust and balanced package to improve public safety. I look forward to assisting you in this important work.”
• “Representative Dent — Thank you for joining me for lunch at the Palace Cafe in Ellensburg. I share your commitment to supporting Washington farmers. By the way, that includes ensuring they receive the rebates they were promised under the Climate Commitment Act.”
• “Representatives Santos and Callan — Thank you for stepping up to work on addressing the youth mental health crisis.”
• “Senator Braun — l hope to work with you to adopt reasonable limits on the Governor’s emergency powers. We can do that together.”
• “Representative Reed — Your proposal to ensure that every Washingtonian with a 3.0 GPA receives automatic acceptance into many of our exceptional state institutions of higher education should be adopted by this Legislature. And I look forward to signing it.”
• “Senator Holy — Thank you for your legislation proposing a $100 million grant program to help local law enforcement agencies hire more well-trained officers to improve public safety. That idea was a cornerstone of my campaign for Governor. Any budget I sign must include this funding.”
• “Representative Mena — I support your legislation prohibiting the National Guard from other states from coming into Washington to advance any president’s agenda without our permission. Texas and Montana have adopted similar policies. Washington must join them.”

Agency refocuses to center customer service

OLYMPIA – Gov. Bob Ferguson announced today he has appointed former journalist Jesse Jones as director of Results Washington, the agency responsible for making government work better for Washingtonians. Results Washington helps state agencies improve performance by establishing measurable goals, collecting performance data and conducting regular public performance reviews.

In his inaugural address last week, Ferguson committed to improve customer service across state government. He said, “Few things frustrate me more than bureaucracy that creates delays, confusion, or extra hurdles when people and businesses need questions answered and results delivered. … Our mission must be to speed up government, improve customer service and center the people in every decision we make.” 

To that end, Jones will refocus Results Washington on customer service, using its resources and expertise to help agencies deliver the highest level of service and meeting the needs of Washingtonians.

Jones, an award-winning consumer investigative reporter, is nationally recognized for results-driven journalism that sparked change at the local, state and federal levels for more than three decades. His reports on curbing ticket bots, campaigning for free credit freezes and exposing real estate companies that locked homeowners into decades-long sales contracts helped change Washington state law.

“Washingtonians know that when there is a problem to be solved, you get Jesse,” Ferguson said. “Government must work better. Jesse’s track record makes him an ideal candidate for this role.”  

Jones earned multiple Emmy awards for his reporting and was a member of a team that was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in 2024. He was chosen to represent the 2024 class of the Northwest Chapter of National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle Award.

Raised in Tacoma, Jones graduated from Henry Foss High School and started his TV career as an intern at Tacoma-based KSTW-TV.

In 2007, Jones launched the “Get Jesse” consumer investigative segment on KING 5. “Get Jesse” helped Washingtonians take on bad businesses and contractors, leading to numerous local, state and federal investigations.

In 2014, Jones moved to KIRO-TV, where his “Jesse Jones” segment included nationally recognized investigations that led to change from Main Street all the way to the corridors of power in Washington D.C. and exposed Fortune 500 companies. One report about Office Depot running a questionable computer repair program led to an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission and the Washington State Attorney General.

More recently, Jones’ investigation revealed a hidden 3% charge on certain concessions at Climate Pledge Arena. That work led to a class action lawsuit and subsequent action by the state Attorney General’s Office.

Jones currently lives in Snohomish County with Kim, his wife of 34 years. His daughter, Cydney, attends college in Colorado.

Executive Order brings agencies, schools together to support kids separated from parents or caregivers

OLYMPIA – Gov. Bob Ferguson created a rapid response team today aimed at reducing harms caused by President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies which, if implemented, will destabilize families and harm children who are separated from their deported or detained parents or primary caregivers.

Mass deportation was a centerpiece of Trump’s campaign. His campaign website lists “Carry out the largest deportation operation in American history” as second on his list of priorities. Several Day 1 executive orders involved immigration, including “removing promptly all aliens who enter or remain in violation of federal law,” and calling for “the total and efficient enforcement” of “immigration laws against all inadmissible and removable aliens.” Trump has directed the Department of Homeland Security to expand its use of "expedited removal," which allows immigration officers to deport some people without a hearing. On Jan. 23, his press secretary announced “The largest massive deportation operation in history is well underway.”

At an event hosted by OneAmerica at El Centro de la Raza, Ferguson signed Executive Order 25-04 directing the immediate creation of a Family Separation Rapid Response Team in the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). The team will recommended policies and actions for addressing family separation and the lasting effects on children.

If implemented, mass deportation policies will significantly harm kids with undocumented parents. These children are often American citizens.

The team will include professionals within DCYF, Washington State Patrol, the Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance, the Attorney General’s Office and representatives of the Governor’s Office. Members of the team will consult with regional and local experts on immigration and child welfare. Additionally, they will develop policies aimed at supporting children who experience family separation through the deportation or detention of their parents or caregivers.

“My administration will do everything possible to address the harms caused by a mass deportation and detention program,” Ferguson said. “That includes making sure kids who are torn away from their parents have someone to care for them and uninterrupted access to their education.”

Ferguson ordered the rapid response team to hold its first meeting by Feb. 14. The team will:

• Review agency policies and procedures to identify any changes that can assist in responding to the separation of families. This includes situations where a large number of children in the same geographic area may be separated from their parents or caregivers at the same time.

• Identify policies or procedures that may help support children of deported or detained parents and lessen, to the extent possible, the lasting impacts resulting from such separation, in consultation with immigration and child welfare experts.

• Meet with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and local school districts to develop strategies for mitigating disruption to the education and development of children whose parents are deported or detained.

• Create proactive lines of communication between DCYF, OSPI and local school districts to permit quick and responsive action when prompt cooperation is needed to support the child, including if a child’s parents are taken for deportation or detention while the child is at school.
   
• Work with state universities, colleges, community colleges and Running Start to ensure and support robust pathways to higher education for children who experience the trauma of having their parents or primary caregivers deported or detained.

The Family Separation Rapid Response Team will be in regular contact with the Governor’s Office to share its findings and recommendations as work progresses.