Washington state is poised to continue its defense of democracy in the wake of Donald Trump’s win as the 47th President.
State Attorney General Bob Ferguson has been elected governor, defeating U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert. Ferguson sued the Trump administration nearly 100 times, and he told the Seattle Times on Nov. 5, “I want to be very clear, there is nobody running for statewide office this year anywhere in the United States who is more prepared to defend your freedoms against that administration than I am.”
President-elect Trump is the first-ever convicted felon elected to the Oval Office. Republicans also gained control of the Senate, which means Trump will experience smooth sailing as he makes appointments to the courts and the Cabinet. The House results are not yet finalized.
Reproductive health remains a critical issue for many as the United States enters this new era. After Ferguson’s win, Jennifer M. Allen, CEO of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, released the following statement.
“As the first major election since the Dobbs decision, this election was a defining moment for reproductive rights in our state, and Washingtonians made it clear: they support leaders who prioritize access to reproductive health care, including abortion access. Bob Ferguson’s election as Washington’s next Governor marks a pivotal moment for reproductive health care and justice in Washington. As Attorney General, he has been a champion for our rights, successfully defending critical reproductive health protections and fighting back against Trump-led efforts to undermine our freedoms. Now, as Governor, his unwavering commitment is set to ignite a new era of progress for reproductive rights in Washington. With Ferguson at the helm, Washington will remain a beacon for those seeking safe, compassionate reproductive health care, and set a bold national standard for prioritizing the health, autonomy and rights of every individual.”
Washington voters gave other victories to pro-abortion rights candidates, including Nick Brown as the new Attorney General.
“With their leadership, we are ready for the fight ahead to protect access to essential reproductive health care in the face of a hostile U.S. President,” Allen said. “The anti-reproductive health President and U.S. Senate majority we’ll face next year are a stark reminder of the lies and disinformation spread by anti-abortion groups and candidates, but the challenges ahead only strengthen our resolve.”
Of the 600 Planned Parenthood health centers across the country, 29 are in Washington state. PPAA Washington State Director Courtney Normand said residents have repeatedly demonstrated that “they believe deeply in the importance of reproductive freedom and health care access for all.”
“We are incredibly proud of the champions elected who have been unwavering advocates for reproductive rights, who we know will keep Washington moving forward — champions like Maria Cantwell, Bob Ferguson, Emily Randall, Nick Brown, Patty Kuderer and many more. Their leadership will be instrumental in expanding reproductive health protections and supporting patients and we look forward to our continued partnership. At the same time, we are resolute in our commitment to hold newly elected officials accountable, especially those who have opposed abortion access and reproductive health care freedoms.”
Locally, San Juan County Health and Community Services and Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood announced in October they are partnering to make reproductive health services more accessible in San Juan County. Since the pandemic, MBPP has had difficulty retaining front office staff, which is necessary to provide a safe environment for providers to see patients. Starting in January, it will be operating out of HCS’s Friday Harbor clinic office one day per week.
MBPP will use the health department’s Friday Harbor space to conduct appointments and offer reproductive health services. County residents can make an appointment directly with MBPP at https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-mt-baker. By sharing clinic space, MBPP can provide important health care and HCS can expand reproductive and sexual health testing and services in a sustainable manner for county residents.
Services include: sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment; PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis); HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) testing; birth control methods and supplies, including long-acting reversible contraception; emergency contraception; pregnancy testing and options counseling/referrals; wellness and preventive care exams and cancer screenings; menopause services; problem-focused visits; and sexual dysfunction.
County public health nurses will continue to provide HIV and chlamydia testing, pregnancy tests, emergency contraception, contraceptive starts and contraceptive counseling, and reproductive health referrals on an as-needed basis for people needing these services on days that MBPP is not scheduling patients in the Friday Harbor office.
Gov. Inslee issues statement
Gov. Jay Inslee released the following statement in response to Tuesday’s general election results.
“I would like to congratulate all of our state-elected leaders. For the first time in generations, voters picked a full slate of Democrats to lead our nine statewide elected offices. Their leadership will be more crucial than ever during the next four years, and we couldn’t ask for a better team to protect Washington values. Bob Ferguson is a sharp public servant who will be an excellent governor. Nick Brown will be a dynamic attorney general. Washingtonians have only seen a preview of Nick’s potential as a fighter for justice.
“Last night, Washingtonians sent an unequivocal message that they want action on pollution and climate change. Washingtonians also made clear they want to preserve the equity of our tax system with the capital gains tax on the super wealthy. When they or a loved one need long-term care, they want the WA Cares Act to be there for them.
“I want to thank Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for their service to our country. Many are understandably worried about the outcome of the presidential election, but Washingtonians know we’ve been here before. Washington has strong statutes that protect our values, and when Trump messed with our state we sued him 97 times – only losing two cases on the merits while he was in office. Our state and others formed enduring alliances for progress during Trump’s first term in office, and we will continue to push the needle of progress for a more perfect union.”
Immigration concerns
In a post-election news conference last week, Ferguson said his office has been preparing for a possible Trump presidency for months.
According to the Seattle Times, “Among scenarios Ferguson is bracing for is the use of Republican states’ National Guard troops to carry out mass roundups of undocumented immigrants as well as threats, as Trump made in his first term, to withhold federal funding from so-called sanctuary jurisdictions like Washington.”
In 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed the Keep Washington Working Act, which made numerous changes to state law to ensure the state of Washington “remains a place where the rights and dignity of all residents are maintained and protected in order to keep Washington working.” KWW restricts the extent to which local law enforcement agencies may participate in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter told the Sounder: ‘The office of the sheriff is a non-partisan position, and I am not a political analyst. Our state law and our county code are clear on this issue regarding law enforcement agencies restrictions.”
RCW 10.93.160 states: “The legislature finds that it is not the primary purpose of state and local law enforcement agencies or school resource officers to enforce civil federal immigration law. The legislature further finds that the immigration status of an individual or an individual’s presence in, entry, or reentry to, or employment in the United States alone, is not a matter for police action, and that United States federal immigration authority has primary jurisdiction for enforcement of the provisions of Title 8 U.S.C. dealing with illegal entry.”
To read the full revised code, visit https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=10.93.160.
