KIRO NEWSRADIO OPINION

John Curley: WA thrives if Gov. Bob Ferguson works with both sides, even if approval numbers drop

Mar 16, 2025, 5:58 AM | Updated: 12:30 pm

Bob Ferguson approval rating...

Newly-elected governor Bob Ferguson gives his victory speech at the Washington State Democrats Election Night Watch Party at the Seattle Convention Center on November 05, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo: Alexi Rosenfeld, Getty Images)

(Photo: Alexi Rosenfeld, Getty Images)

Columnist Danny Westneat’s latest Seattle Times column, dubbed “Democrats might be having some second thoughts about WA’s new governor,” explains how Washington Governor Bob Ferguson’s approval rating within his own party has dropped from 86% in November to 65% in March, according to DHM Research polling.

The response? 643 comments from readers ranged from agreeing with Westneat to fervently denying his claims. It got so contentious that The Seattle Times put a warning over the comment section to keep them from becoming too hostile.

“This story has gotten a lot of reported comments, so I’m checking in to remind everyone to stay civil,” The Seattle Times staff wrote. “From here on, any comments that egregiously violate our policies may result in an immediate suspension or ban, without warning. We may also close this comments section if bad behavior continues.”

Is Bob Ferguson actually a moderate Democrat?

The host of “The John Curley Show” on KIRO Newsradio had strong reaction to both the column and the responses.

“This is getting away from your sort of mindset and being able to say, ‘OK, if this guy is legitimate, and he does want to triangulate and get something done with those on the right and those on the left, we are all better served,” Curley said. “Because if you are Republican, you know, in the state of Washington, you are often outnumbered. If you can get a governor in there to do a little bit of horse-trading, we would all be better served for it. If it ends up that the new governor of Washington is more responsible with your tax dollars, we would all be better served. So we’ll see if this is true. We’ll find out, because at a certain point, coming up in a few weeks, some tough decisions in the state of Washington will need to be made.”

Listen to the full conversation below.

More from John Curley: Seattle City Attorney defends future of sanctuary city status amid Trump’s threat to hold funding

Listen to “The John Curley Show” weekday afternoons from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio. 

John Curley on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to tom and curleyTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 3pm for The John Curley Show.

John Curley

KIRO Newsradio Opinion

seattle parking...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘I can’t stand parking enforcement’: Gee isn’t fighting proposed cuts as Ursula questions the math

KIRO host Gee Scott knows Seattle parking enforcement officers have a job to do. That does not mean he wants more of them writing tickets.

8 hours ago

‘What do they owe some of these humans’: Gee questions Microsoft’s responsibility to workers ...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘What do they owe some of these humans’: Gee questions Microsoft’s duty to workers as it offers voluntary exits

Microsoft’s new voluntary exit program has Gee Scott asking what the company owes the workers who helped build it.

10 hours ago

‘How come they always give us deadlines?’: KIRO hosts challenge high housing costs tied to WA p...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘How come they always give us deadlines?’: Gee and Ursula slam slow permits as Seattle rents climb

Discover why residents face penalties for missed deadlines while WA permit delays take months, impacting housing and construction costs.

12 hours ago

'Is there going to be smooth sailing?': Spike questions election monitors as Ferguson offers Nation...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘Is there going to be smooth sailing?’: KIRO hosts debate Ferguson’s offer of National Guard support for WA elections

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson’s offer of National Guard support for election security prompted a debate over voter intimidation.

14 hours ago

income tax I-645...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘You’re still living good’: Gee pushes back on pension fears in WA millionaires’ tax debate

Campaign warnings that Washington’s new millionaires’ tax could reach public pensions prompted Gee Scott to draw a distinction: What the law does now is not the same as what lawmakers might change later.

15 hours ago

Apple Cup 2027...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

Apple Cup in August? Spike says the historic rivalry is losing its magic

Next year's Apple Cup rivalry between the Washington Huskies and Washington State Cougars will be played in August for the first time ever.

17 hours ago

John Curley: WA thrives if Gov. Bob Ferguson works with both sides, even if approval numbers drop