OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Jay Inslee announced on Monday that he will not be seeking a fourth term.
Inslee was most recently re-elected in 2020. He is only the second Washington state governor to serve three consecutive terms.
“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,” he said in a news release.
Inslee highlighted some of his achievements since 2013 which included, in part:
- Passing climate policies to drive down emissions, such as the state’s Clean Energy Fund and the Clean Energy Transformation Act to achieve 100% clean power by 2045.
- Improving equity across Washington’s legal justice system with more diverse judicial appointments, placing a moratorium on Washington’s death penalty – which was recently affirmed by the State Supreme Court.
- Fully funding the state’s K-12 education system for the first time in a decade.
- Strengthening legal protections for abortion providers and patients and expanding access.
“Our last decade of Washington’s storied history is one of growth and innovation. I am proud to have played a role in our state’s leadership on so many fronts. We’ve passed the nation’s best climate policies, the most successful family leave benefits, the best college scholarship programs, a more fair legal justice system, and the most protective actions against gun violence. We’ve shown that diversity is a strength worth fighting for. This has been ten years of dynamic success,” Inslee said.
Read Inslee’s full statement at this link.
Thank you @GovInslee for your years of dedicated service to Washington and its residents. From bold action on the climate crisis, championing commonsense gun legislation, and supporting an ever innovative economy, your leadership has helped build a stronger state for us all. https://t.co/fpgEHfd7N8
— Mayor Bruce Harrell (@MayorofSeattle) May 1, 2023
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