Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson made a visit to Kenmore on March 29 as the featured speaker at a Sound Cities Association (SCA) dinner.

Kenmore Mayor David Baker, the current president of the SCA Board of Directors, emceed the evening.

Ferguson was greeted with a standing ovation by municipal employees, elected officials and others from the Puget Sound region as he came to the front of the ballroom at the Inglewood Golf Club to chat with SCA Executive Director Deanna Dawson.

One of the main topics of conversation was, of course, his battle with the Trump administration over the constitutionality of the travel ban implemented through an executive order signed by Pres. Donald Trump earlier this year.

“Everybody has to follow the rule of law … even the president,” said Ferguson, who is a former King County councilmember.

He said he has received some criticism that his move to stop the travel ban was political, but he pointed out that he also sued the Obama administration twice.

“It’s equal opportunity,” he said. “That’s how we operate.”

He also discussed a variety of other cases he’s been involved with, including the Arlene’s Flowers anti-discrimination suit and a campaign finance case against the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

In the latter, the GMA was ordered to pay $18 million in penalties and punitive damages, the largest amount ever in a campaign finance case.

On a lighter note, Ferguson and Dawson discussed the attention he has received following the travel ban, which led to some people pointing out his resemblance to Harry Potter. He said his kids think that’s pretty cool, especially as they are currently reading the “Harry Potter” books.

Mercer Island City Attorney Kari Sand and City Manager Julie Underwood pose with Bob Ferguson on March 29. Photo via Twitter