Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks at a news conference, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
(OLYMPIA, Wash.) — In a statement Governor Jay Inslee announced he would not seek another term.
“Serving the people as governor of Washington state has been my greatest honor. During a decade of dynamic change, we’ve made Washington a beacon for progress for the nation. I’m ready to pass the torch,” the statement read.
Inslee’s tenure was defined by his advocacy of environmental policy. He successfully pushed for things like the state’s cap-and-trade program and establishing the Washington Clean Energy Fund.
His time in office was also marred by the COVID-19 pandemic and the state’s response. Inslee was widely criticized for shutting down the state and keeping schools and businesses closed while other states remained open or re-opened.
Inslee’s decision not to seek a fourth term opens the race for several Democrats who have been waiting for years to run. Potential candidates include Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz.
The Republican field remains wide-open.
