Green River Killer detective and Washington state attorney general advance in race to be governor [Video]

Washington state’s longtime attorney general and a former sheriff known for his work hunting down the Green River Killer advanced Tuesday to November’s general election in the battle to become the next governor in a Democratic stronghold that hasn’t had an open race for the state’s top job in more than a decade.

Bob Ferguson, a Democrat who has served as attorney general since 2013, went up against more than two dozen candidates in the primary. Ferguson declared victory in a post on social media.

“The general election starts today. Let’s win,” he wrote.

Ferguson will face former U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, a Republican, in November. The race has featured weeks of intense sparring between the two rivals.

“Washington voters have sent a message that they are ready for a change,” Reichert said in a statement, according to CBS affiliate KIRO-TV. “I am thankful to all who voted …