Barely two months into his inaugural term, Gov. Bob Ferguson’s office has been shaken up with the resignation of his top liaison to the Legislature.
Joyce Bruce, the governor’s legislative director, resigned Friday, according to the governor’s office.
Her departure comes midway through a legislative session in which tensions have broken out between Ferguson and fellow Democratic lawmakers. House Democrats in January barred the governor’s staff from being able to freely enter the chamber, amending a longstanding open-door policy for gubernatorial aides.
Bruce’s departure follows the recent resignation of Shawn Lewis, the governor’s deputy legislative director, leaving the governor’s executive team shorthanded as the Legislature heads toward serious wrangling on how to solve a four-year budget shortfall that Ferguson has estimated at $15 billion.
Fissures on the budget have emerged between the governor and some Democratic lawmakers. While not ruling out taxes, Ferguson has emphasized finding cuts in state government, including proposing two years of once-a-month unpdaid furlough days for state workers. Some key legislative Democrats and their allies in labor oppose deep cuts and are demanding higher taxes aimed at the state’s wealthiest businesses and residents.
In a statement Friday, Ferguson thanked Bruce for her “hard work and dedication.” He noted they’d worked together for years at the attorney general’s office, where she helped lead efforts including banning assault weapons and creating a cold case unit to investigate murders and disappearances of Indigenous women.
“I hope we have the opportunity to work together in my administration in the future,” Ferguson said.
Bruce could not be reached for comment. Her governor’s office email replies said earlier this week she was “out of the office.” Before joining the gubernatorial team, she had worked for Ferguson for several years during his time as attorney general, including as his legislative director in that office.
There has been a swirl of rumors over the past week throughout the Capitol and in political circles about the turmoil in Ferguson’s office and other potential departures or reassignments, including speculation about the status of Ferguson’s longtime right-hand-man, Mike Webb.
Webb, who is currently the governor’s chief strategy officer, declined to comment Friday.
He has worked as a key Ferguson deputy for years, serving as his chief of staff in the Attorney General’s office and managing Ferguson’s 2012 campaign for attorney general.
Brionna Aho, a spokesperson for the governor, did not respond Friday afternoon to questions about the reasons for Bruce’s departure or whether other top staffers would be departing.
