In a surprising turn of events, two lesser-known contenders also named Bob Ferguson briefly entered the Washington state gubernatorial primary alongside Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson. However, on Monday evening, both challengers withdrew from the race, fearing potential legal consequences.

The saga began on Friday, just before the filing deadline, when both rival Bobs declared their candidacy as Democrats, joining an already crowded field of 30 individuals vying for the governorship. The filing fee, which amounts to nearly $2,000, did not deter their entry.

The state of Washington holds an open primary on August 6th, where the top two candidates, regardless of party, advance to the general election.

Conservative activist Glen Morgan claimed credit for recruiting the duplicate-named candidates, asserting on Facebook that these Bobs were superior alternatives to the current Attorney General running for the same office. Morgan expressed belief that they could provide better choices for the Democrats in the state.

The two additional Bobs were characterized as a retired state employee from Yakima and a military veteran from Graham, as reported by The Seattle Times. However, Morgan mentioned that if he had started his recruitment efforts earlier, he would have been able to field even more Bob Ferguson candidates. He disclosed contacting around 12 individuals but ultimately ran out of time.

The incumbent Attorney General, Bob Ferguson, expressed his disapproval of the duplicate entries, stating that their intent was clearly aimed at confusing voters and undermining the electoral process. In a post on X, he wrote that this was a direct attack on democracy and the integrity of the election system in Washington, warning of the potential victory of an anti-choice conservative candidate.

During a press conference on Monday, Attorney General Ferguson cautioned that the duplicate Bobs could face criminal charges if they did not withdraw from the race by the 5 p.m. deadline. Washington law stipulates that it is a felony to file for office with a last name similar to an already widely known candidate, with the intention to confuse and mislead voters by capitalizing on the reputation of the original candidate.

Cease-and-desist letters were reportedly delivered to the homes of the two Bobs on Sunday, with Attorney General Ferguson hoping they would recognize the gravity of the situation and voluntarily step down. He emphasized that if they failed to do so, further action would be pursued by involving local prosecutors.

By Monday evening, both duplicate Bobs had withdrawn from the race. The Bob Ferguson from Graham issued a statement, revealing that he was withdrawing under duress. He criticized another candidate who labeled him a "threat to democracy," calling their actions hypocritical. He suggested that this candidate feared not standing out effectively or underestimated the voters' competence.

Attorney General Ferguson celebrated the outcome, declaring victory against the attempts to undermine election integrity. He expressed relief that voters would no longer have to worry about choosing between different candidates named Bob Ferguson.

Regarding the orchestrator of this "scheme," Attorney General Ferguson did not explicitly indicate whether Glen Morgan could face charges. He stated that further action would be considered if necessary, leaving the matter open-ended.

As the gubernatorial race in Washington progresses, it is worth noting that the winner will assume office following the departure of Democrat Jay Inslee, who has served as governor since 2013. The Republican side of the race has not been exempt from controversy either, with both leading candidates initially being disqualified from receiving the state's GOP endorsement last month, according to The Olympian's report.