When Governor Bob Ferguson’s chief strategy officer, Mike Webb, left his position in March, Ferguson said in a statement, quote, “I wouldn’t be governor without Mike.”

Webb resigned after allegations surfaced of a hostile work environment.

Ferguson told the Washington State Standard that he takes allegations against a team member seriously, quote “no matter how close that person is to me.”

Now, new reporting by Axios reveals that the Governor may have known about concerns about his longtime aid  years before Webb resigned.

Guest:
Melissa Santos, Axios Seattle reporter

Related stories:
Gov. Ferguson knew of concerns about top aide years ago, audio confirms - Axios Seattle
WA governor admits ‘stupid’ decision to invite former top aide on state plane - Seattle Times
Scoop: Ferguson's office was told of allegations against top aide years ago - Axios Seattle

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

When Governor Bob Ferguson&rsquo;s chief strategy officer, Mike Webb, left his position in March, Ferguson said in a statement, quote, &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t be governor without Mike.&rdquo;
Webb resigned after allegations surfaced of a hostile work environment.
Ferguson told the Washington State Standard that he takes allegations against a team member seriously, quote &ldquo;no matter how close that person is to me.&rdquo;
Now, new reporting by Axios reveals that the Governor may have known about concerns about his longtime aid&nbsp; years before Webb resigned. Guest:
<ul>
<li>Melissa Santos, Axios Seattle reporter</li>
</ul>
Related stories:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/07/31/ferguson-2019-audit-concerns-mike-webb-aide">Gov. Ferguson knew of concerns about top aide years ago, audio confirms - Axios Seattle</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/wa-governor-admits-stupid-decision-to-invite-former-top-aide-on-state-plane/">WA governor admits &lsquo;stupid&rsquo; decision to invite former top aide on state plane - Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/07/23/ferguson-team-warned-mike-webb-adviser-concerns">Scoop: Ferguson's office was told of allegations against top aide years ago - Axios Seattle</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes" data-stringify-link="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes" data-sk="tooltip_parent">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

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New reporting by Axios reveals that the Governor may have known about concerns about his longtime aid  years before Webb resigned.

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