Jay Inslee

Jay Robert Inslee was born February 9, 1951, in Seattle, Washington, the oldest of three sons of Adele A. (née Brown; d. 2007) and Frank E. Inslee (1926–2014). Inslee is a fifth-generation Washingtonian.{{cite news |last1=Long |first1=Katherine |title=Governor's father, Frank Inslee, dies: teacher, coach, counselor |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/governorrsquos-father-frank-inslee-dies-teacher-coach-counselor/ |access-date=January 4, 2019 |work=The Seattle Times |date=October 14, 2014}}{{cite news |last1=Garber |first1=Andrew |title=Jay Inslee: Organized sports taught the importance of teamwork |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/jay-inslee-organized-sports-taught-the-importance-of-teamwork/ |access-date=January 4, 2019 |work=The Seattle Times |date=July 14, 2012}} Inslee describes his family as being of English and Welsh descent.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/us/politics/family-history-democratic-candidates.html|title=2020 Democrats on Their Family History|date=June 19, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 19, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}

Inslee attended Seattle's Ingraham High School, where he was an honor-roll student and star athlete, graduating in 1969. He played center on his high school basketball team and was also the starting quarterback on his football team.

Inslee's interest in environmental issues originated at an early age, with his parents leading groups of high school students on trips cleaning Mount Rainier. He met his future wife, Trudi Tindall, at Ingraham during his sophomore year. Graduating at the height of the Vietnam War, Inslee received student deferments from the draft.{{cite news |title=Inslee shaped by experience as a high school athlete |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/inslee-shaped-by-experience-as-a-high-school-athlete/281-330698283 |access-date=January 4, 2019 |publisher=King5 |date=October 10, 2012}}

Inslee began college at Stanford University, where he initially intended on studying medicine. After a year, he was forced to drop out because he was unable to get a scholarship. He returned home and, living in his parents' basement, attended the University of Washington. He received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in economics in 1973. He then attended the Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Oregon, receiving a Juris Doctor in 1976.

Inslee and his wife were married on August 27, 1972, and have three sons: Jack, Connor, and Joseph.{{cite news |title=Game roster: KIRO vs. Team Inslee |url=http://mynorthwest.com/73456/game-roster-kiro-vs-team-inslee/? |access-date=January 5, 2019 |publisher=KIRO Radio |date=November 6, 2013}} After Inslee finished law school, they moved to Selah, a suburb of Yakima. Inslee joined the law firm Peters, Schmalz, Leadon & Fowler, working as a city prosecutor. He practiced in Selah for 10 years. He first became politically active in 1985, while advocating for the construction of a new high school. The experience sparked Inslee's interest in politics, emboldening him to run for political office.{{cite news |last1=Raftery |first1=Isolde |title=Jay Inslee's uphill battle |url=https://www.seattlebusinessmag.com/article/jay-inslees-uphill-battle |access-date=December 31, 2018 |publisher=Seattle Business Magazine |date=June 2012}}

Inslee ran for the Washington House of Representatives in 1988 after incumbent Republican State Representative Jim Lewis left office.{{cite web |title=State of Washington, Members of the Legislature, 1989-2005 |url=http://govinfo.askcarlos.com/wastate/legislators1895-2005.pdf |access-date=August 29, 2019}} His opponent, Lynn Carmichael, was the former mayor of Yakima and considered the front-runner in the race. Inslee also struggled to balance his more progressive ideology with the conservative leanings of Central Washington. His campaign attempted to rectify this by emphasizing his rural upbringing and legal experience supporting local average people, farms and businesses. The Washington State Trial Lawyers Association became Inslee's biggest contributor.{{cite news |last1=Welch |first1=Craig |title=Inslee's political career took off as Democrat in GOP territory |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/inslees-political-career-took-off-as-democrat-in-gop-territory/ |access-date=January 7, 2019 |work=The Seattle Times |date=August 25, 2012}}

When presented with a potential state budget surplus, Inslee called for a tax cut for the middle class, which Carmichael called irresponsible. Inslee claimed Carmichael had supported a sales tax, which she denied. Inslee was an energetic and active campaigner, benefiting from retail politics.

In the blanket primary, Carmichael ranked first with 43% and Inslee ranked second with 40%. Republican Glen Blomgren ranked third with 17%.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=533647 |title=WA State House District 14 Seat 2 - Blanket Primary Race - Sep 20, 1988 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=September 11, 2012}} In the general election, Inslee defeated Carmichael 52%-48%.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=407097 |title=WA State House District 14 Seat 2 Race - Nov 08, 1988 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=September 11, 2012}} In 1990, Inslee was reelected with 62% of the vote against Republican Ted Mellotte.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=325303 |title=WA State House District 14 Seat 2 Race - Nov 06, 1990 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=September 11, 2012}}

In the Washington state legislature, Inslee pursued a bill to provide initial funding to build five branch campuses of the Washington State University system. Although the bill failed, his tenacity made an impression on House Speaker Joe King, who said: "He's not afraid to incur the wrath of the speaker or the caucus."Yakima Herald-Republic, June 11, 1989. Inslee also focused on preventing steroid usage among high school athletes and pushed for a bill requiring all drivers to carry auto insurance. In 1991, he voted for a bill that required the state to devise a cost-effective energy strategy and state agencies and school districts to pursue and maintain energy-efficient operations.{{cite web |title=HB 1022 - 1991-92 |url=https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1022&Year=1991 |publisher=Washington State Legislature |access-date=March 4, 2019}}

Inslee served on the Higher Education and Housing Committees.{{cite news |title=Millions for Migrant Housing Gets Nod |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oaJUAAAAIBAJ&pg=6070,4754598&dq=jay+inslee&hl=en |access-date=January 14, 2020 |work=news.google.com |publisher=Ellensburg Daily Record |date=February 15, 1989}}{{cite news |last1=Ammons |first1=Dave |title=House Sets Up Showdown on Branch Campuses |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4YxfAAAAIBAJ&pg=3090,5038870&dq=jay+inslee&hl=en |access-date=January 14, 2020 |publisher=Lewiston Morning Tribune |date=May 31, 1989}}

;1992

File:Jay Inslee, official 103rd Congress photo.png]]

In 1992, six-term incumbent U.S. Representative Sid Morrison chose not to run for reelection representing {{ushr|Washington|4}}, instead mounting a campaign for governor. Morrison was a popular moderate Republican incumbent who was considered successful and well-liked in the Democratic-controlled Congress.{{cite news |last1=Schaefer |first1=David |title=Primary Focus: Governor -- Morrison Takes High Road -- Congressman Hopes It Leads All The Way To State Capital |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19920827/1509537/primary-focus-governor----morrison-takes-high-road----congressman-hopes-it-leads-all-the-way-to-state-capital |access-date=August 29, 2019 |work=The Seattle Times |date=August 27, 1992}} Despite initially declining to run, Inslee launched a campaign for the open Congressional seat, based in the central-eastern part of the state. His home area of the district, anchored by Yakima, is relatively rural and agriculture-based, while the southeastern part is more focused on research and nuclear waste disposal, anchored by the Tri-Cities. Inslee defeated a favored state senator to win the Democratic primary by 1%. Despite the district's conservative lean, Inslee won the general election in an extremely close race.{{cite news |last1=Gutman |first1=David |title=Jay Inslee's Political Career: From small-town, part-time prosecutor to presidential candidate |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/jay-inslees-political-career-from-part-time-small-town-prosecutor-to-presidential-candidate/ |access-date=August 29, 2019 |work=The Seattle Times |date=March 1, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Weigel |first1=David |last2=Janes |first2=Chelsea |last3=Wagner |first3=John |title=Washington Gov. Jay Inslee joins 2020 Democratic presidential field |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/washington-gov-jay-inslee-joins-2020-democratic-presidential-field/2019/03/01/d44e2366-0e9b-11e9-84fc-d58c33d6c8c7_story.html?noredirect=on |access-date=August 29, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 1, 2020}}

;1994

He lost his bid for reelection in the Republican Revolution of 1994 in a rematch against his 1992 opponent, Doc Hastings. Inslee attributed his 1994 defeat in large part to his vote for the Federal Assault Weapons Ban.{{cite news|last=Postman, Sorrano|first=David, Barbara|title=Former Rep. Jay Inslee Joins Governor's Race|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19951129/2155065/former-rep-jay-inslee-joins-governors-race|access-date=June 30, 2011|newspaper=Seattle Times|date=November 29, 1995|archive-date=October 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003093522/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19951129&slug=2155065|url-status=live}}

In Congress, Inslee passed the Yakima River Enhancement Act,https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/jobs-water-and-fish-governor-inslee-introduces-yakima-river-basin-bill-protect-job {{Dead link|date=February 2022}} a bill long held up in Congress, by brokering a breakthrough with irrigators and wildlife advocates. He also helped to open Japanese markets to American apples and to fund and oversee the nation's biggest nuclear waste site at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation near Richland, Washington.[https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19960903/2347250/inslee-sticks-to-campaign-game-plan----message-attempts-to-boost-his-profile Inslee Sticks To Campaign Game Plan -- Message Attempts To Boost His Profile], September 3, 1996.{{USBill|103|HR|1690|pipe=H.R.1690: To authorize certain elements of the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project, and for other purposes}}

• United States House Committee on Agriculture
• United States House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GVdUAAAAIBAJ&pg=6322,438162&dq=jay+inslee+committee&hl=en|title=Ellensburg Daily Record - Google News Archive Search|work=google.com}}

Inslee moved to Bainbridge Island, a suburb of Seattle, and briefly resumed the practice of law.

{{Main|1996 Washington gubernatorial election}}

Inslee ran for governor of Washington in 1996, losing in the blanket primary. Democratic King County Executive and former State Representative Gary Locke ranked first with 24% of the vote. Democratic Mayor of Seattle Norm Rice ranked second with 18%, but did not qualify for the general election. Republican State Senator Ellen Craswell ranked third with 15%, and became the Republican candidate in the general election. Republican State Senator and Senate Majority Leader Dale Foreman ranked fourth with 13%. Inslee ranked fifth with 10%. No other candidate on the ballot received double digits.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=18378 |title=WA Governor - All Party Primary Race - Sep 17, 1996 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=September 11, 2012}}

After his failed gubernatorial bid, Inslee was appointed regional director for the United States Department of Health and Human Services by then-President Bill Clinton.{{cite news |last1=Rosenthal |first1=Brian M. |title=Inslee-Clinton fundraiser almost sold out, boasts excited campaign |url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2012/09/06/inslee-clinton-fundraiser-almost-sold-out-boasts-excited-campaign/ |access-date=January 3, 2019 |work=The Seattle Times |date=September 6, 2012}}

Inslee ran again for Congress in 1998, this time in the 1st congressional district against two-term incumbent Rick White. His campaign attracted national attention when he became the first Democratic candidate to air television ads attacking his opponent and the Republican congressional leadership for the Lewinsky scandal.{{cite news |last1=Kaji |first1=Mina |last2=Szabo |first2=Christine |title=Jay Inslee: Everything you need to know about the former 2020 presidential candidate |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/jay-inslee/story?id=61305329 |access-date=January 14, 2020 |publisher=ABC News |date=August 21, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Bolz |first1=Dan |title=Candidates Are Held Hostage by Scandal |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/campaign101198.htm |access-date=January 14, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 11, 1998}} Inslee won with 49.8% of the vote to White's 44.1%; he had an unintentional assist in his successful return by the conservative third-party candidacy of Bruce Craswell, husband of 1996 GOP gubernatorial nominee Ellen Craswell.{{cite news |last1=Christie |first1=Tim |title=ELECTION '98: White, Inslee see different reasons for result |url=https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/1998/11-05/0086_election__98__white__inslee_see_d.html |access-date=January 14, 2019 |publisher=Kitsap Sun |date=November 5, 1998 |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225092540/https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/1998/11-05/0086_election__98__white__inslee_see_d.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=Democrat Inslee bests incumbent White for Washington House seat |url=https://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1998/11/03/election/house/washington.cd1/ |access-date=January 14, 2020 |publisher=CNN |date=November 4, 1998}}

Inslee was reelected six times. In 2000, he defeated State Senate Minority Leader Dan McDonald with 54.6% of the vote. In 2002, Inslee defeated former state representative Joe Marine with 55.6% of the vote after the district was made more Democratic by redistricting. He never faced another contest that close, and was reelected three more times with over 60% of the vote.{{cite news |title=The 2000 Campaign: Washington State;Primary Vote Bolsters House Democrat G.O.P. Saw As Vulnerable |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/02/us/2000-campaign-washington-state-primary-vote-bolsters-house-democrat-gop-saw.html |access-date=January 14, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=October 2, 2000}}{{cite news |title=Inslee challengers look to curb spending |url=https://www.bainbridgereview.com/news/inslee-challengers-look-to-curb-spending/ |access-date=January 14, 2020 |publisher=Bainbridge Island Review |date=July 15, 2010}}

In July 2003, after Gary Locke announced he would not seek a third term as Washington's governor, Inslee briefly flirted with a gubernatorial bid before deciding to remain in Congress.[http://www.seattlepi.com/local/138758_governor09.html Inslee Won't Run For Governor], Joel Connelly, Seattle Post Intelligencer, September 8, 2003.

During the 2009-2010 campaign cycle, Inslee raised $1,140,025. In data compiled for the period 2005 to 2007 and excluding individual contributions of less than $200, 64 percent of Inslee's donations were from outside the state of Washington and 86 percent came from outside his district (compared to 79 percent for the average House member). 43 percent of Inslee's donations came from Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland. The largest interests funding Inslee's campaign were pharmaceutical and health-related companies, lawyers and law firms, and high-tech companies.{{cite web|title=Campaign Funding Sources|url=http://maplight.org/us-congress/legislator/297-jay-inslee|work=Inslee Contributions Illuminated|publisher=maplight.org|access-date=June 30, 2011|archive-date=March 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312073852/http://maplight.org/us-congress/legislator/297-jay-inslee|url-status=dead}}

In 2010 he won by a 15-point margin, with 57.67% of the votes cast in his favor.{{cite web|last=Reed|first=Sam|title=Congressional District 1|url=http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/WEI/Results.aspx?ElectionID=37&JurisdictionTypeID=3&JurisdictionID=103&ViewMode=Results|work=2010 Election Results|publisher=Washington Secretary of State|access-date=June 29, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321001943/http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/WEI/Results.aspx?ElectionID=37&JurisdictionTypeID=3&JurisdictionID=103&ViewMode=Results|archive-date=March 21, 2011}}

File:Inslees and the Dalai Lama.jpg in 2008.]]

As a member of the centrist New Democrat Coalition, Inslee vocally supported policies combating climate change.{{cite web|url=http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/techtracks/archives/2007/03/inslee_bill_would_push_fcc_on_white_space_decision.html|title=The Seattle Times: Tech Tracks|work=The Seattle Times|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118135626/http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/techtracks/archives/2007/03/inslee_bill_would_push_fcc_on_white_space_decision.html|archive-date=November 18, 2007}}{{cite news |title=Jay Inslee, with Climate Change Agenda, Running for President |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/03/01/jay-inslee-climate-change-democrat-president/ |access-date=January 14, 2020 |publisher=The Mercury News |date=March 1, 2019}}

Inslee was awarded a "Friend of the National Parks" award by the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) in 2001 for his support of legislation protecting the integrity and quality of the National Park System.[http://www.npca.org/media_center/press_releases/2001/page-27598936.html Friend of the National Parks Award Winners] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121111738/http://www.npca.org/media_center/press_releases/2001/page-27598936.html |date=November 21, 2008 }}, National Parks Conservation Association, February 15, 2001

Inslee was "one of Congress's most ardent advocates of strong action to combat global warming," according to The New York Times.{{cite news |title=At House E.P.A. Hearing, Both Sides Claim Science |last=Broder |first=John M. |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/09/science/earth/09climate.html |date=March 9, 2011 |page=17 |access-date=January 22, 2017}} He was the first public figure to propose an Apollo-like energy program, in an opinion editorial in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer on December 19, 2002, and a series of similar pieces in other publications.{{cite web|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/opinion/100516_inslee19.shtml|title=New Apollo Project can help us unplug our need for oil|work=seattlepi.com|date=December 19, 2002}} Inslee co-authored Apollo's Fire: Igniting America's Clean Energy Economy, in which he argues that through improved federal policies the United States can wean itself off foreign oil and fossil fuel, create millions of green-collar jobs, and stop global warming. He has been a prominent supporter of the Apollo Alliance.{{cite web|url=http://www.apolloalliance.org/resources_100mpg.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081126233311/http://www.apolloalliance.org/resources_100mpg.php|title=Inslee articles at the Apollo Alliance web page|archive-date=November 26, 2008}} Inslee strongly believes the Environmental Protection Agency should remain authorized to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. In a 2011 House hearing on the Energy Tax Prevention Act, he said Republicans have "an allergy to science and scientists" during a discussion of whether the regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act should remain in place following a controversial court finding on the issue.{{cite news|last=Wing|first=Nick|title=Jay Inslee: Republicans Suffer From 'Allergy To Science And Scientists'|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/09/jay-inslee-gop-allergy-science_n_833404.html|work=Huffpost Politics|publisher=The Huffington Post|access-date=July 1, 2011|date=March 9, 2011}}

Inslee was an outspoken critic of the George W. Bush administration's 2003 invasion of Iraq. On July 31, 2007, he introduced legislation calling for an inquiry to determine whether then United States Attorney General Alberto Gonzales should be impeached. Gonzales eventually resigned.Associated Press, [https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-impeach1aug01,1,130274.story?coll=la-news-politics-national&track=crosspromo Bill calls for Gonzales impeachment inquiry], Los Angeles Times, August 1, 2007

Still an avid basketball player and fan, Inslee identified as a member of "Hoopaholics", a charity group dedicated to "treatment of old guys addicted to basketball and who can no longer jump", as Inslee has often joked.[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/highschoolsports/2003867146_flashback04.html "Flashback | Political football now Inslee's game], Seattle Times, September 4, 2007. In October 2009, he played basketball at the White House in a series of games featuring members of Congress on one team and members of the administration, including President Obama, on the other.{{cite news|last=Daly |first=Matthew |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010027342_apusobamabasketballcongress.html |title=Local News | Lawmakers play hoops with Obama at White House | Seattle Times Newspaper |work=The Seattle Times |date=October 8, 2009 |access-date=August 29, 2010}}

Inslee voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the federal health care law.{{cite web |title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 165 |url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll165.xml |publisher=Clerk of the US House of Representatives |date=March 21, 2010 |access-date=March 4, 2019}}

In 2011, Inslee voted in favor of authorizing the use of U.S. armed forces in the 2011 Libyan civil war and against limiting the use of funds to support NATO's 2011 military intervention in Libya.{{cite web|title=Congress Votes on Libya|url=http://www.opencongress.org/people/show/400193_jay_inslee|work=Inslee Supports Adventure in Libya|publisher=OpenCongress.org|access-date=July 1, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701094839/http://www.opencongress.org/people/show/400193_Jay_Inslee|archive-date=July 1, 2011}}

Inslee was once touted as a candidate for United States Secretary of the Interior and for United States Secretary of Energy during the Presidential transition of Barack Obama.[http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/politicsnorthwest/2008/10/31/inslee_for_interior_secretary.html Inslee For Interior Secretary?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126133645/http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/politicsnorthwest/2008/10/31/inslee_for_interior_secretary.html|date=January 26, 2009}} Seattle Times, October 31, 2008[http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/energywire/2008/11/obamas_energy_department.html Obama's Energy Department] Newsweek/Washington Post EnergyWire, Steve Mufson, November 6, 2008

On March 20, 2012, Inslee left Congress to focus on his campaign for governor of Washington.{{cite news |last1=Song |first1=Kyung M. |title=Inslee leaving U.S. House but still eligible for pension |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/inslee-leaving-us-house-but-still-eligible-for-pension/ |access-date=December 31, 2018 |work=The Seattle Times |date=March 20, 2012}}

• United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce
• United States House Energy Subcommittee on Energy and Power

• Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus
• Congressional Internet Caucus
• House Medicare and Medicaid Fairness Caucus
• House Oceans Caucus
• United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus
• Congressional Arts Caucus
• Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition
• New Democrat Coalition

{{Main|2012 Washington gubernatorial election}}

File:Jay Inslee official portrait.jpg

On June 27, 2011, Inslee announced his candidacy for governor of Washington.[http://kuow.org/program.php?id=23805 Inslee Announces Run For Governor] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015020823/http://kuow.org/program.php?id=23805 |date=October 15, 2011 }}, Liz Jones, KUOW, June 28, 2011. His campaign focused on job creation, outlining dozens of proposals to increase job growth in clean energy, the aerospace industry, and biotechnology. He also supported a ballot measure to legalize gay marriage, which passed, and opposed tax increases.[http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019621861_elexgovernor07m.html Inslee takes strong lead, but McKenna won't concede], Jim Brunner, Seattle Times, November 7, 2012. Though trailing in early polls, he won election with 51% of the vote, a three-point margin over his Republican opponent, state attorney general Rob McKenna.{{cite news|title=Jay Inslee's Turnaround|url=https://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-city-life/2012/09/jay-inslees-turnaround-october-2012|newspaper=Seattle Met|date=September 19, 2012}}{{cite web|last=Reed|first=Sam|title=WA STATE Gubernatorial results|url=http://sos.wa.gov|publisher=WA STATE SEC OF STATE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223191448/http://sos.wa.gov/|archive-date=February 23, 2013}}

{{main|2016 Washington gubernatorial election}}

In December 2015, Inslee announced on Washington's public affairs television channel TVW that he would run for a second term as governor. He emphasized increased spending on transportation and education as his primary first-term accomplishment, though he had struggled to work with the Republican-controlled Majority Coalition Caucus in the State Senate.{{cite news |last1=Jenkins |first1=Austin |title=Inslee Vs. Bryant: A Preview Of The 2016 Washington Gubernatorial Face-Off |url=https://www.nwnewsnetwork.org/post/inslee-vs-bryant-preview-2016-washington-gubernatorial-face |access-date=January 14, 2020 |publisher=NW News Network |date=December 9, 2015}}

In the general election Inslee faced former Port of Seattle Commissioner Bill Bryant. The primary issues of the campaign were climate change, job creation, minimum wage, and capital gains taxes. Inslee far outraised Bryant, and was reelected in November with 54% of the vote.{{cite news |last1=Wissel |first1=Paula |title=Gov. Jay Inslee Defeats Bill Bryant To Win Second Term |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/washington-governor-jay-inslee-bill-bryant/ |access-date=January 14, 2020 |publisher=KNKX News |date=November 8, 2016}}{{cite news |title=Inslee defeats Bryant in Wash. Governor race |url=https://www.kxly.com/inslee-defeats-bryant-in-wash-governor-race/ |access-date=January 14, 2020 |publisher=KXLY |date=November 9, 2016}}{{cite news |title=Wash. Governor Inslee wins second term |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/wash-governor-inslee-wins-second-term/281-348472289 |access-date=January 5, 2019 |publisher=KING5 |date=November 9, 2016}}

{{main|2020 Washington gubernatorial election}}

On March 1, 2019, Inslee announced he would run for president, but kept open the possibility of running for a third term if his presidential campaign failed. Several potential Democratic gubernatorial candidates, including state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, and King County Executive Dow Constantine, were all waiting to announce campaigns until Inslee made his decision.{{cite news |last1=Oxley |first1=Dyer |title=What will they do now that Jay Inslee is running for governor again? |url=https://mynorthwest.com/1488696/constantine-ferguson-franz-governor-inslee/? |access-date=January 14, 2020 |publisher=MYNorthwest |date=August 23, 2019}} As Inslee's presidential campaign failed to gain traction during the summer of 2019, he was pressured to drop out and make his gubernatorial plans clear to the other potential candidates.{{cite news |last1=Kruse |first1=Brandi |title=It's decision time for Washington Governor Jay Inslee |url=https://q13fox.com/2019/08/20/its-decision-time-for-washington-governor-jay-inslee/ |access-date=January 14, 2020 |publisher=Q13 FOX |date=August 20, 2019}} On August 21, 2019, Inslee dropped out of the presidential campaign and announced the next day he would run for reelection as governor.{{cite news |last1=Gottlieb |first1=Paul |title=If Jay Inslee leaves governor job, AG Bob Ferguson may run |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/northwest/if-jay-inslee-leaves-governor-job-ag-bob-ferguson-may-run/ |access-date=January 14, 2019 |publisher=Everett Herald |date=May 2, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Hill |first1=Kip |title=Gov. Jay Inslee announces re-election bid; AG Bob Ferguson also will seek re-election |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/aug/22/gov-jay-inslee-announces-re-election-bid-ag-bob-fe/ |access-date=January 14, 2020 |publisher=The Spokesman-Review |date=August 22, 2019}}

Inslee's major opponents in the election were State Senator Phil Fortunato, Republic, Washington police chief Loren Culp, Yakima physician Raul Garcia, activist Tim Eyman and former Bothell mayor Joshua Freed.{{cite news |last1=Jennings |first1=Nicole |title=Gubernatorial candidate Joshua Freed walks a middle line for homelessness |url=https://mynorthwest.com/1509750/dori-joshua-freed/ |access-date=January 14, 2020 |publisher=KIRO Radio |date=September 12, 2019}}{{cite news |title=Former Bothell mayor announces gubernatorial run |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/former-bothell-mayor-announces-gubernatorial-run/281-5c792fb2-a48a-487d-afe2-d4aff379034c |access-date=January 14, 2020 |publisher=KING5 |date=September 6, 2019}} Inslee finished first in the primary, with 50% of the vote. Culp finished a distant second, with 17%.{{cite web|url=https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20200804/governor.html|title=August 4, 2020 Primary Results - Governor|publisher=Washington Secretary of State|access-date=October 17, 2020}} Inslee and Culp advanced to the general election, which Inslee won with 57% of the vote.{{cite news|url=http://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20201103/Governor.html |title=November 3, 2020 General Election Results|work=Washington Secretary of State|access-date=October 28, 2020}} His margin of victory was the largest in a gubernatorial election in Washington since Gary Locke's in 2000 and he also became the first Democrat in two decades to win a county in Eastern Washington, winning Whitman County.{{cite news|last=Leadingham|first=Scott|date=November 19, 2020|title=Incumbent's Advantage: Why Whitman County Votes For Biden And Inslee, But GOP For Congress|url=https://www.nwpb.org/2020/11/19/incumbents-advantage-why-whitman-county-votes-for-biden-and-inslee-but-gop-for-congress/|work=Northwest Public Broadcasting|access-date=December 12, 2020}}

Inslee became the first Washington governor elected to a third term since Dan Evans was reelected in 1972.{{cite news |last1=O'Sullivan |first1=Joseph |last2=Gutman |first2=David |title=Only one Washington governor has served three consecutive terms. Jay Inslee wants his own threepeat. |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/only-one-washington-governor-has-served-three-consecutive-terms-jay-inslee-says-he-wants-his-own-threepeat/ |access-date=June 9, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=2019-08-25}}{{cite news |title=Jay Inslee Wins 3rd Term as Washington Governor |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/washington/articles/2020-11-03/robust-election-night-results-expected-due-to-early-ballots |access-date=June 9, 2021 |publisher=U.S. News & World Report |date=November 4, 2020}}{{cite news |title=Washington Gov. Jay Inslee wins third term |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/elections/washington-state-governor-general-election-jay-inslee-loren-culp/281-e6cf481a-bfdc-4cfa-96d8-9cfb27329666 |access-date=June 9, 2021 |publisher=King5 News |date=November 4, 2020}}

During the 2013 session, the legislature failed to create a fiscal budget plan during the initial session, and Inslee was forced to call two special sessions to provide time for a budget to be created. The Republican-controlled Senate and Democratic-controlled House each passed its own budget and could not agree on one.{{cite news|title=Washington Gov. Jay Inslee calls second special session|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/06/washington_gov_jay_inslee_call_1.html|newspaper=Oregon Live|date=June 11, 2013}} Finally, in June 2013, Inslee signed a $33.6 billion budget to which both houses had agreed as a compromise. The budget increased funding for education by $1 billion. It also adjusted property taxes and tax breaks in order to increase state revenue by $1 billion.{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Mike |title=A look inside Washington state's $33.6 billion budget plan |url=https://komonews.com/news/local/a-look-inside-washington-states-336-billion-budget-plan-11-20-2015 |access-date=January 14, 2020 |publisher=KOMO News |date=June 29, 2013}}

On June 13, 2013, Inslee signed an additional estate tax into law. The tax had bipartisan support, and passed the Senate, 30–19.{{cite news|title=Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signs estate tax fix into law|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/06/washington_gov_jay_inslee_sign.html|newspaper=Oregon Live|date=June 13, 2013}}

File:Jay Inslee Speech (8724201105).jpg in May 2013]]

In December 2013, Inslee was elected to serve as finance chair of the Democratic Governors Association.{{cite web|last=Burns|first=Alexander|title=DGA appoints leaders for 2014|date=December 9, 2013 |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2013/12/dga-appoints-leaders-for-2014-100877.html?hp=f1|publisher=Politico|access-date=December 9, 2013}}

In January 2014, Inslee gave a speech commending machinists who voted to renew Boeing's contract with Seattle area union employees, allowing the company to build its Boeing 777x aircraft in Everett. He said the contract would bring Washington to a new industrial plateau and be a turning point for Washington jobs:

These jobs are in the thousands and it is not only on the 777X, the first model of the 777X, but all the subsequent derivative models as well.

The plan was to prevent Boeing from building part of the aircraft in Washington and part of it elsewhere, as they did with the Boeing 787, which was partially constructed in South Carolina.{{cite news|last=Kim|first=Hana|title=Governor Inslee says Boeing deal could open new industrial plateau|url=http://q13fox.com/2014/01/04/governor-inslee-says-boeing-deal-could-open-new-industrial-plateau/#axzz2pVAPMUv4|newspaper=Q13 Fox|date=January 4, 2014}}{{cite news|title=Boeing pact with Machinists union called turning point for labor|url=http://triblive.com/business/headlines/5360816-74/boeing-union-state#axzz2pVAQFg9d|newspaper=TribLive|date=January 4, 2014}}

On February 11, 2014, Inslee announced a moratorium on executions in Washington:

There have been too many doubts raised about capital punishment, there are too many flaws in this system today. There is too much at stake to accept an imperfect system.

Inslee cited the high cost of pursuing the death penalty, the randomness with which it is sought, and the lack of evidence that it is a deterrent.{{cite news|title=Inslee halts executions in state while he is governor|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2022883256_deathpenaltyinsleexml.html|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=February 11, 2014|access-date=February 12, 2014}}{{cite news|title=Washington state to suspend death penalty by governor's moratorium|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/11/washington-state-death-penalty-governor-inslee-suspends|newspaper=The Guardian|date=February 11, 2014|access-date=February 12, 2014}}

Inslee began his second term on January 11, 2017, proposing full funding of state education (in compliance with the McCleary decision) and addressing mental health needs while also raising worker pay.{{cite news |last=O'Sullivan |first=Joseph |date=January 9, 2017 |title=State lawmakers face tough fight over education funding as legislative session opens |page=B1 |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/state-lawmakers-face-tough-fight-over-education-funding-as-legislative-session-opens/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=February 21, 2017}} After newly inaugurated President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 27 banning people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States, Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced their intention to sue Trump, alleging his order was unconstitutional. The civil action, Washington v. Trump, was filed on January 30 and on February 3 successfully earned a temporary restraining order to forbid federal enforcement of some of the ban's provisions.{{cite news |last=Burns |first=Alexander |date=January 30, 2017 |title=Legal Challenges Mount Against Trump's Travel Ban |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/30/us/legal-challenges-mount-against-trumps-travel-ban.html?_r=0 |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 21, 2017}}{{cite news |last=Burns |first=Alexander |date=February 4, 2017 |title=How Washington State Upended Trump's Travel Ban |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/04/us/trump-travel-ban-washington-seattle-ferguson.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 21, 2017}} An appeal and request to stay filed by the federal government was subsequently denied by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Inslee and Ferguson declared victory over Trump on February 16, after his administration announced it would revise the travel ban to comply with the court decisions.{{cite news |last1=Dolan |first1=Maura |last2=Kaleem |first2=Jaweed |date=February 16, 2017 |title=Trump says he will issue a new order after a 'very bad decision' blocked his initial travel ban |url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-travel-executive-order-20170216-story.html |work=The Los Angeles Times |access-date=February 21, 2017}} Inslee garnered national media attention during the lawsuit.{{cite news |last=Brunner |first=Jim |date=February 21, 2017 |title=Jay Inslee for president? Governor's profile is on the rise |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/inslees-profile-lifted-with-states-legal-victories-on-immigration/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=February 21, 2017}}

During the 2017 legislative session, the Washington State Legislature failed to pass a state operating budget by the end of its regular session on April 25, so Inslee called for a 30-day special session. The legislature again failed to pass a budget during that session, forcing Inslee to call a third one, beginning June 22. As the state's fiscal year ends on June 30, a partial government shutdown was feared.{{cite news |last1=La Corte |first1=Rachel |title=No end in sight as Washington lawmakers edge toward a third special session |url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/may/23/washington-legislatures-first-special-session-ends/ |access-date=January 3, 2019 |work=The Seattle Times |date=June 12, 2018}} Conflict over resource allocation between rural areas and urban areas was a major reason for the impasse. The State Senate passed a budget on June 30 and Inslee signed it into law shortly after 11 pm. Its specifics were still being released several hours after it was enacted. Lawmakers critiqued the haste with which the budget was considered and passed, having received the 616-page document only that day.{{cite news |last1=Camden |first1=Jim |title=Legislature passes $43.7 billion budget, and taxes to pay for it; Inslee signs before midnight |url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/jun/30/437-billion-washington-budget-begins-push-through-/ |access-date=January 3, 2019 |publisher=Spokesman-Review |date=July 1, 2017}} By the end of the third session on July 20, the legislature had still failed to pass a capital budget concerning long-term goals and improvements.{{cite news |last1=Brand |first1=Natalie |last2=Graf |first2=Heather |title=Washington lawmakers adjourn with no capital budget |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/washington-lawmakers-adjourn-with-no-capital-budget/281-458374474 |access-date=January 3, 2019 |publisher=King5 |date=July 20, 2017}} This was the third time during Inslee's tenure the state's budget was passed in the last week of the legislative session.{{cite news |last1=Santos |first1=Melissa |title=Threat of shutdown looms as Legislature heads into triple overtime over budget |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/politics-government/article157434149.html |access-date=January 3, 2019 |agency=The News Tribune |date=June 27, 2017}}

In December 2017 Inslee awarded $6.4 million in grant funding for apprenticeships and career connections to 29,000 youth in 11 communities.{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/wagovernor/inslee-awards-6-4-129c4de96df3|title=Inslee awards $6 million to create apprenticeship and career connections for 29,000 youth in 11 communities|date=December 8, 2017|website=Medium}} He called this initiative Career Connect Washington. It includes a Task Force and several prominent stakeholder groups including Alaska Airlines, Amazon, Boeing, Microsoft, and Kaiser Permanente. Career Connect Washington has established new apprenticeship opportunities, including the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee's registered Youth Apprenticeship program for high school students.{{cite web |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/education/article143777889.html |title=Tacoma teens get a jump on manufacturing careers with new apprentice program |access-date=November 11, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wtb.wa.gov/careerconnectwa.asp|title=Career Connected Washington Task Force|website=Workforce Training & Education Board|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-date=October 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023163423/http://www.wtb.wa.gov/careerconnectwa.asp|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/washington-voters-dont-think-schools-prepare-kids-for-careers-the-state-is-trying-to-change-that/|title=Washington voters don't think schools prepare kids for careers. The state is trying to change that.|date=October 31, 2018|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=November 16, 2018|language=en-US}}

Inslee served as chair of the Democratic Governors Association for the 2018 election cycle,{{Cite news|url=http://www.mycolumbiabasin.com/2017/12/04/washington-governor-elected-next-dga-chair/|title=Washington governor elected next DGA chair|date=December 4, 2017|work=My Columbia Basin|access-date=December 5, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802011332/http://www.mycolumbiabasin.com/2017/12/04/washington-governor-elected-next-dga-chair/|url-status=dead}} in which Democrats gained seven net governorships nationwide.{{cite news |last1=Dovere |first1=Edward-Isaac |title=Jay Inslee Is Betting He Can Win the Presidency on Climate Change |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/01/washington-governor-jay-inslee-running-president/579217/ |access-date=January 3, 2019 |publisher=The Atlantic |date=January 2, 2019}}

In December 2018, Inslee announced new legislation aimed at reducing the state's carbon emissions over approximately two decades. It would effectively require Washington utilities to end the use of fossil fuels by mid-century, making Washington "adopt a clean fuel standard", "promote electric and low-emission vehicles", and "provide incentives to renovate existing buildings to reduce" emissions.{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Reid |title=Washington governor plans major climate initiatives |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/420611-washington-governor-plans-major-climate-initiatives |website=The Hill |date=December 10, 2018 |access-date=December 11, 2018}}

In January 2019, Inslee said he would provide an expedited process for approximately 3,500 people convicted of small-time cannabis possession to apply for and receive pardons.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/legal-pot/washington-gov-inslee-pardon-thousands-convicted-marijuana-possession-n954981|title=Washington Gov. Inslee to pardon thousands convicted of marijuana possession|website=NBC News|date=January 5, 2019 |language=en|access-date=January 5, 2019}}

In March and April 2020, Inslee ordered significant social distancing measures statewide, including banning large events, a stay-at-home order, and the closing of all schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-extends-stay-home-stay-healthy-through-may-4|title=Inslee extends 'Stay Home, Stay Healthy' through May 4|website=www.governor.wa.gov|access-date=April 10, 2020}}

On June 8, 2020, in the wake of protests over police brutality, a group of protesters established the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (also known as the Zone or the CHAZ) in Seattle.{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/welcome-to-the-capitol-hill-autonomous-zone-where-seattle-protesters-gather-without-police/|title=Welcome to the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, where Seattle protesters gather without police|date=June 10, 2020|access-date=March 20, 2021}} The Zone prided itself on offering free food and being free of police.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/11/us/seattle-autonomous-zone.html|title=Free Food, Free Speech and Free of Police: Inside Seattle's 'Autonomous Zone'|first=Mike|last=Baker|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 11, 2020}} However, it also experienced internal violence and vandalism, including four shootings in ten days.{{Cite news|last=Johnson|first=Kirk|date=July 23, 2020|title=Another Fatal Shooting in Seattle's 'CHOP' Protest Zone|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/29/us/seattle-protests-CHOP-CHAZ-autonomous-zone.html|access-date=November 4, 2020|issn=0362-4331}} President Donald Trump condemned the Zone, saying that Seattle had been taken over by anarchists, and called on Inslee and the mayor of Seattle to "take back" the neighborhood from protesters.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/11/trump-seattle-protests-jay-inslee-313278|title=Trump lashes out at Inslee, Seattle mayor over protesters' 'autonomous zone'|first=Caitlin|last=Oprysko|website=POLITICO|date=June 11, 2020 }} Inslee responded that he was unaware of the Zone's existence, but called on Trump to "stay out of Washington State's business".{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/jay-inslee-on-seattles-police-free-zone-thats-news-to-me|title=Jay Inslee on Seattle's police-free zone: 'That's news to me'|date=June 11, 2020|website=Washington Examiner}}{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/502241-inslee-calls-on-trump-to-stay-out-of-washington-states-business|title=Inslee calls on Trump to 'stay out of Washington state's business'|first=Justine|last=Coleman|date=June 11, 2020|website=TheHill}}

In November 2020, Inslee was named a candidate for Secretary of Energy, Secretary of the Interior and the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in the Biden Administration.{{cite news |title=Who Are Contenders for Biden's Cabinet? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/us/politics/biden-cabinet.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage |access-date=November 11, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=November 11, 2020}}{{cite web|author=Politico Staff|title=Meet the contenders for Biden's Cabinet|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/07/joe-biden-cabinet-picks-possible-choices-433431|access-date=November 17, 2020|website=POLITICO|date=November 7, 2020 |language=en}}

Inslee began his third term on January 13, 2021.

On April 8, 2021, Inslee signed a bill restoring voting rights to convicted felons after they finish serving their sentences. This made Washington the 20th state to have such laws, and it was primarily sponsored by representative Tarra Simmons, who was formerly incarcerated herself.{{cite news|title=Inslee signs bill restoring voting rights to parolees in Washington state|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/547142-inslee-signs-bill-restoring-voting-rights-to-parolees-in-washington?amp|newspaper=The Hill|date=April 8, 2021}}

On May 4, 2021, Inslee signed a new capital gains tax into law. The tax narrowly passed the Senate, 25–24. It affects certain investments, such as the sale of stocks and bonds, and taxes profits that total $250,000 or more at 7%. It includes many exemptions, including retirement accounts, livestock, timber, and real estate.{{cite news|title=Inslee signs off on capital gains tax for wealthy and tax rebate for lower-income workers in Washington|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/inslee-signs-capital-gains-tax-for-wealthy-and-tax-rebate-for-lower-income-workers-in-washington/?amp=1|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=May 4, 2021}} This was followed by two lawsuits, which were later consolidated into one, led by former state attorney general and Inslee's 2012 gubernatorial opponent Rob McKenna.{{cite news|title=Former Attorney General Rob McKenna joins lawsuit seeking to invalidate Washington state's capital gains tax|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/former-attorney-general-rob-mckenna-joins-lawsuit-seeking-to-invalidate-capital-gains-tax/?amp=1|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=May 20, 2021}} The lawsuit alleges that the tax is a state income tax in disguise and is unconstitutional due to precedent, with a graduated state income tax being declared unconstitutional in 1933. In September 2021, Grant County superior court judge Brian Huber allowed this lawsuit to proceed.{{cite news|title=Challenge to Washington's capital gains tax can move forward, judge rules|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/lawsuit-against-washingtons-new-capital-gains-tax-can-move-forward-judge-rules/?amp=1|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=September 10, 2021}} In March 2023, the Washington Supreme Court dismissed the lawsuit and upheld the new capital gains tax, which took effect in April 2023.{{cite news|title=Washington Supreme Court upholds capital gains tax|url=https://hmacpa.com/project/washington-supreme-court-upholds-capital-gains-tax/#:~:text=Chase%2C%20174%20Wash.,Washington%20Supreme%20Court%20to%20overturn|website=RSM US LLP|date=March 27, 2023}}

In August 2021, Inslee mandated vaccinations for state and health care workers by October 18 without a weekly testing alternative.{{cite news |last=La Corte |first=Rachel |date=August 10, 2021 |title=Washington mandates vaccine for state, health care workers |url=https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-0e2d3c4d5abe76a0abd96a9f4655110d |work=The Associated Press |accessdate=October 30, 2021}}

Upon the resignation of New York governor Andrew Cuomo on August 23, 2021, Inslee became the longest-serving current governor in the United States.{{cite news|url=https://www.seattlepi.com/local/politics/article/jay-inslee-of-wash-state-longest-serving-governor-16383172.php|title=With Cuomo's resignation, WA's Jay Inslee is poised to be the longest-serving state governor in US|last=Regimbal|first=Alec|date=August 12, 2021|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|access-date=14 August 2021}} Inslee filed initial paperwork to run for a fourth term in the 2024 election,{{Cite web |date=May 16, 2021 |title=Commentary: Is It Too Early to Talk About the 2024 Election in Washington State? How About 2022?|url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/commentary-is-it-too-early-to-talk-about-the-2024-election-in-washington-state-how-about-2022,265471|access-date=August 27, 2021 |website=The Chronicle}} but announced in May 2023 that he would not run for a fourth term. Although some governors have run for a fourth term, none has been elected to a fourth term in the state's history.{{cite news |last1=Brunner |first1=Jim |last2=Gutman |first2=David |last3=Cornwell |first3=Piage |date=May 1, 2023 |title=WA Gov. Jay Inslee won't seek reelection for fourth term |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/wa-gov-jay-inslee-wont-seek-reelection-for-fourth-term/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=May 1, 2023}}

Following the resignation of Republican Secretary of State Kim Wyman, to take a job in the Biden administration, Inslee was tasked with appointing her replacement.{{cite news |last=O'Sullivan |first=Joseph |date=October 26, 2021 |title=Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman resigns to join Biden administration |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/washington-secretary-of-state-kim-wyman-resigns-to-take-election-security-post-in-biden-administration/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=October 27, 2021}} He appointed state senator Steve Hobbs, a Democrat, noting that former Republican governor John Spellman appointed Republican Dan Evans to fill the vacancy created by the death of Democratic U.S. Senator Scoop Jackson in 1983. Hobbs is a moderate who opposed many of Inslee's priorities while in the state senate, including abolishing the death penalty, gun control, reducing carbon emissions, expanding voting rights to parolees, and a state income tax. These positions put him at odds with Inslee and were widely seen as a prime reason for his appointment. The appointment led to the Washington State Democratic Party holding all nine statewide executive offices for the first time since the Great Depression.{{cite news |last=Mikkelsen |first=Drew |date=October 28, 2021 |title=Inslee could appoint Democrat to replace Washington Secretary of State |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/inslee-could-appoint-democrat-to-replace-washington-secretary-of-state/281-c00a57a9-1f95-4aff-8d0b-6f333e1fb263 |work=King 5 |accessdate=October 29, 2021}}{{Cite web|date=2021-11-10|title=Inslee selects Democratic Sen. Steve Hobbs to temporarily replace Republican Wyman as secretary of state|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/inslee-selects-sen-steve-hobbs-to-temporarily-replace-wyman-as-secretary-of-state/|access-date=2021-11-10|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US}}

In 2023, Inslee praised the Washington House of Representatives' passage of a bill banning assault weapons.{{cite web |title=The banning of assault weapons is one step closer to becoming law as it passes the house |date=March 10, 2023 |url=https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/the-banning-of-assault-weapons-is-one-step-closer-to-becoming-law-as-it-passes/article_0ed90068-bfab-11ed-8e78-4332eae5377e.html |access-date=15 April 2023 |ref=34}} In 2023, several conservative organizations sued the Washington state government over SB5599, a bill Inslee signed into law that permits youth shelters to notify state authorities instead of parents when a minor seeks medical treatments such as abortion, puberty blockers, or gender-reassignment surgery.{{Cite web |last=Deng |first=Grace |title=Conservative group sues Washington over law to protect trans youth in crisis • Washington State Standard |url=https://washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/conservative-group-sues-washington-over-law-to-protect-trans-youth-in-crisis/ |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=Washington State Standard |language=en-US}} Critics of the bill argue that it infringes on parental rights protected by the First and Fourteenth Amendments, claiming it deprives parents of their "fundamental right to direct the care and upbringing of their children" and their rights to the free exercise of religion, due process, free speech, and equal protection.{{Cite web |title=International Partners for Ethical Care, et al. v. Jay Inslee, et al. (SB 5599) |url=https://aflegal.org/litigation/international-partners-for-ethical-care-et-al-v-jay-inslee-et-al-sb-5599/ |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=America First Legal |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-08-21 |title=Conservative group sues WA over law meant to protect trans teens |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/conservative-group-sues-wa-over-law-meant-to-protect-trans-teens/ |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}

{{main|Jay Inslee 2020 presidential campaign}}

File:Jay Inslee presidential announcement - March 1, 2019 - 01 (cropped).jpg

Throughout 2018, speculation rose that Inslee might run for president of the United States in the 2020 election. He garnered national attention because of Washington v. Trump, a lawsuit challenging the first Trump Administration's order to ban people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.{{cite news |last=Wang |first=Amy B. |date=February 5, 2017 |title=How Washington state became the epicenter of resistance to Trump's agenda |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/02/05/how-washington-state-became-the-epicenter-of-resistance-to-trumps-agenda/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=February 21, 2017}} While Inslee was chair of the Democratic Governors Association, Democrats gained seven net governorships in the 2018 gubernatorial elections, further propelling him into the national spotlight and fueling speculation that he would run. Inslee cited climate change as his primary motivation for running, strongly criticizing the Trump Administration's policies.{{cite news|last=Brunner|first=Jim|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/gov-jay-inslees-new-pac-raises-112000-as-he-actively-considers-presidential-run/|title=Gov. Jay Inslee's new PAC raises $112,000 as he 'actively' considers presidential run|date=December 6, 2018|work=Seattle Times|access-date=December 7, 2018|language=en-US}}

In January 2019, reports surfaced that Inslee was beginning to form an exploratory committee, the first step in a campaign.{{cite news |last1=Kroll |first1=Andy |title=Jay Inslee, the 'Climate Candidate,' Joins the 2020 Race |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/jay-inslee-2020-774051/ |access-date=January 3, 2019 |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=January 2, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/01/washington-governor-jay-inslee-running-president/579217/|title=Jay Inslee Is Betting He Can Win the Presidency on Climate Change|last=Dovere|first=Edward-Isaac|date=January 2, 2019|website=The Atlantic|language=en-US|access-date=January 2, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/jay-inslee-is-running-for-president-governor-of-washington/|title=Jay Inslee Is Running For President — You Know, the Governor of Washington|date=January 2, 2019|website=National Review|language=en-US|access-date=January 2, 2019}} Inslee was a dark-horse candidate; initially, he was rarely included in polling for the primary, was not well known outside Washington, and made few trips to early primary states such as Iowa and New Hampshire. But he pointed to former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, calling them "pretty much unknown governors of small states" and adding, "this is a wide-open field. No one has a lock on this. No one has a total crystal ball as to what the nation wants."

Inslee announced his candidacy for president on March 1, 2019, saying he would focus on combating climate change.{{cite web|url=http://m.cnn.com/en/article/h_938905d87233bde443acdaa78523780d|title=CNN - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos|website=m.cnn.com|access-date=March 1, 2019|archive-date=June 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626140415/http://m.cnn.com/en/article/h_938905d87233bde443acdaa78523780d|url-status=dead}} His campaign requested a debate focused on climate change. The Democratic National Committee denied the request, but 53 of its voting members wrote an open letter protesting that decision.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/05/politics/jay-inslee-climate-change-cnntv/index.html|title=Inslee: DNC rejecting climate change debate is "extremely disappointing"|first=Kate|last=Sullivan|publisher=CNN|date=June 5, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/53-voting-dnc-members-protest-rejection-jay-inslees-climate-change-debate-4274c1fc-eae4-4d88-9757-f62ad3200667.html|title=53 DNC members protest rejection of Jay Inslee's climate change debate|first=Orion|last=Rummier|publisher=Axios|date=June 8, 2019|access-date=June 8, 2019}}

File:Jay Inslee (48609760732).jpg

Facing poor polling numbers and seeing no path to victory, Inslee announced the suspension of his campaign on The Rachel Maddow Show on August 21, 2019,{{cite news |title=Jay Inslee, governor who centered climate change in presidential race, drops out of the contest |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/08/22/jay-inslee-governor-who-centered-climate-change-presidential-race-drops-out-contest/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 22, 2019}}{{cite web|title=Jay Inslee, exiting the presidential race, reflects on his campaign|url=https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2019/8/21/20826258/jay-inslee-presidential-exit-interview|website=Vox|access-date=August 21, 2019|date=August 21, 2019|author=David Roberts}} and announced the following day that he would run for a third term as governor in the 2020 election.{{cite news |last1=Santucci |first1=Jeanine |title=Jay Inslee begins campaign for 3rd term as governor after dropping out of presidential race |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/08/22/jay-inslee-seek-3rd-washington-governor-term-after-ending-2020-bid/2087537001/ |access-date=January 14, 2020 |publisher=USA Today |date=August 22, 2019}} Inslee endorsed Joe Biden for the presidency on April 22, 2020.{{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/22/us/politics/jay-inslee-endorses-biden.html|title = Jay Inslee Endorses Biden, Citing Private Conversations on Climate Policy|last = Burns|first = Alexander|work = The New York Times|date = April 22, 2020|access-date = July 19, 2020}}

{{main|Electoral history of Jay Inslee}}

• Jay Inslee and Bracken Hendricks, Apollo's Fire: Igniting America's Clean Energy Economy, Island Press (October 1, 2007), {{ISBN|978-1-59726-175-3}}

• "Climate Change Is a Winning Campaign Issue—and President Trump Knows It", The New York Times, July 28, 2019{{Cite news |last=Inslee |first=Jay |date=2019-07-28 |title=Opinion {{!}} Jay Inslee: Climate Change Is a Winning Campaign Issue — and President Trump Knows It |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/28/opinion/jay-inslee-donald-trump-climate-democratic-primary.html |access-date=2024-08-01 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://www.historylink.org/File/20832 Inslee, Jay] at HistoryLink
• [http://www.governor.wa.gov/ Governor Jay Inslee] official website from the Government of the State of Washington
• [https://jayinslee.com/ Jay Inslee for Governor] campaign website

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Category:Jay Inslee

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