Ferguson defends small-business fundraising limits and offers audio of opponent's remarks as campaign contrast

Attorney General Ferguson told an editorial board he has chosen not to accept deep corporate PAC money while still receiving donations from smaller businesses (he described a cutoff near 50 employees) because his office conducts investigations that could present conflicts if major donors were under investigation.

He described the decision as a transparency measure: investigations are often confidential, and he said taking large corporate donations would create potential conflicts or the appearance of influence. "I did not want to take money from folks who are investigating," he said.

On campaign dynamics, Ferguson said he would provide the board audio of an opponent's past comments — he described an occasion in which the opponent said he carried a gun during an interview — and suggested the opponent says different things to supporters than in public. The candidate's campaign offered to send the audio and date for review.

On Initiative 2124 (WA Cares), Ferguson said he opposes throwing the program out entirely and described portability fixes and benefit amounts as meaningful for families facing long-term care costs; he favored improving or tweaking the initiative rather than repealing it wholesale.

Ferguson's closing remarks reiterated campaign contrasts with his likely general‑election opponent and invited the board to review the audio evidence he offered. The board did not issue decisions during the session.