Jay Inslee, Washington Congressman, Resigning To Focus On Gubernatorial Campaign

Congressman Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) will announce on Saturday that he is resigning from Congress to devote time to his run for governor, a Democratic source tells The Huffington Post.

The move should allow the long-serving Washington Democrat to up his name recognition across the state, which has been one of the difficulties facing his gubernatorial campaign. The trans-continental commute from D.C. to Washington has severely limited the amount of time Inslee has been able to campaign in the state.

The announcement will leave Democrats one vote smaller in the House, but officials running the Democratic gubernatorial races are surely pleased by the move. As recently as February 14, the Seattle Times was reporting that "some Democratic operatives have been quietly agitating for Inslee to quit Congress and concentrate on campaigning full-time. Inslee has said he has no plans to do so."

Inslee is challenging the state's Attorney General Rob McKenna to replace Democrat Christine Gregoire, who has said she will not seek reelection. The Real Clear Politics polling average in the race has him down 6.3 percentage points, but a recent PPP poll had the two tied.

UPDATE 4:20 p.m.: Inslee officially announced his resignation at his campaign headquarters Saturday afternoon.

“I am excited about focusing full-time on talking about my job-creation agenda and building a new economy for Washington state,” Inslee told supporters. “We have a great chance to seize our own destiny, build our own industries, and create our own technological revolutions right here at home.”

Comments

[Paul Schlossman]

05:13 PM on 03/12/2012

This morning's information from Congressman Smith adds context to the immense linkages between
the doldrums (not to put too fine a point on it) in DC in the Republican unled Congress; the budget
fiasco and the schism it has generated in Olympia; and the progressing candidacy of Mr. Inslee.
Since Congress in DC and the legislature in Olympia are caught in inertia; since Jay Inslee is one
of the most highly energized leaders in this generation in Washington; since a governor's job obviously involves in state and interstate cooperative leadership; In view of all this we can expect
plenty of progress as this campaign moves forward to November when Mr. Inslee is the new
governor.

[Denburx]

05:44 AM on 03/12/2012

don't care who does what just do something right for once

[BobRobertsFeltRedundant]

07:24 PM on 03/11/2012

WA is the perfect backdrop for GOP hypocrisy

the eastern part of the state the red side. it is also the part dependent on big government water, power and transportation networks to get it's crops to market

yet they oppose all that

[LunaPark]

08:59 PM on 03/11/2012

Yea and here is some Democratic hypacrisy. The Dems gleefully spend a $$$billion a year on the corrupt State Ferry system, a subsidy for the rich who want to live the island lifestyle while cutting off funding for healthcare for the poor, education,and the criminal court systems. The Dems would rather fund transportation for Bainbridge Islanders with their mean familiy island income of $108,000 per year than help the pregnant poor.

[rebot787]

10:39 PM on 03/11/2012

The Washington State Ferry system is the largest ferry system in the U.S. and third largest in the world with nearly 23 million riders per year. The system generates tens of millions of dollars every year in tourism dollars as well as providing transportation to thousands of residents.

The conservatives hate Seattle, where the ferry system is centered, because we are deep blue and liberal as hell.

[rebot787]

10:48 PM on 03/11/2012

The Washington State Ferry System averages nearly 23 million riders and 10 million vehicles per year. Our ferries carry more vehicles per year than any other ferry system on the planet.

[lexigram]

06:34 AM on 03/12/2012

And they've voted for that odious McMorrisRodgers creature for what seems like the last hundred years or so. Hooray for redistricting. No more meaningless newsletters from her, calling herself "my" representative. Yes, I live in hillbilly heaven, I'm too poor to leave.

[BobRobertsFeltRedundant]

07:21 PM on 03/11/2012

it's a seven hour flight

[jayemjay]

05:18 PM on 03/11/2012

I see that this article has attracted a lot of anti-Democratic posters who know nothing about Washington State or Jay Inslee, as well as a lot of Inslee/Democratic supporters. To the supporters, I would recommend stop wasting time flaming Inslee detractors and go to Jay's web site and donate.

[Fattonecat]

07:01 PM on 03/11/2012

Already been there.... can I flame them now ?

[Nancy66]

04:53 PM on 03/11/2012

FYI - for all of you that know SO MUCH about Washington State, you really don't have a clue. We live in a very caring, well-educated, highly motivated state with LIVABLE working wages. We are divided by the Cascade Mountains and east of the mountains, we are enriched with fertile farming, wine vineyards and a very diverse vibrant population. On the west side we have a wonderful high tech industry, fishing, skiing, mountain climbing, Boeing, medical research, world-class hospitals, a world-class university,excellent school districts, clean air and water, and outstanding arts and culture.. Our state has always been in the forefront of ensuring that we have a high quality of life for all. Sure, we have issues with crime, like other major cities, but for the most part, this is the best place on earth.

We didn't get this way, by electing ultra conservative (ie. Scott Walker, John Kasich, etc.) types. Our governors and legislators aren't tearing apart our state, suppressing voters' rights, taking over cities (Michigan)..

But, if McKenna does become governor (heaven help us), our state will turn into Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, NJ, Florida, and believe me, it will be devastating.

[sweetleopardess]

05:48 PM on 03/11/2012

Fanned & faved

[Dani09]

06:40 PM on 03/11/2012

Fantastic post! Already Fanned. Have you considered running for elected office?!

[evenbogee]

04:04 PM on 03/11/2012

Liberal & conservatives should stay on their own turf. Why would either side want to compromise.

I mean Liberals don't have any values; yet they insist WE conservatives compromise ours. Then
you have the state run Media Pac that continues to be one-sided, so I say, lets continue to disagree, don't compromise that way neither party can advance their agenda.

Radical theology vs the American constitution.

[jayemjay]

05:09 PM on 03/11/2012

What does your comment have to do with Jay Inslee? I suggest you check out his voting record. He has gone against the party grain more than once.
http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/27125/

[joemondo]

08:21 PM on 03/11/2012

Post again when sober please.

[lexigram]

06:43 AM on 03/12/2012

Sounds like one of our pinhead Okanogan County Commissioners, whose main purpose in life is killing every wolf in the state, smooching the rear ends of the ranchers, and telling everybody else to go to hell. Or possibly the editor of the Omak Chronicle, who actually said he'd love to talk politics with Sarah Palin. Swear to god.

[rebot787]

03:03 PM on 03/11/2012

Judging by the amount of troll traffic this thread has drawn, I'd say people are paying attention to Jay Inslee's bid for governor of Washington State and for the race to cover his seat in Congress. It's going to be an interesting summer!

Governor Inslee 2012
President Obama 2012

[seeksthetruth]

03:02 PM on 03/11/2012

Sorry to see Inslee leave Congress. He has served us well. I hope he becomes the next governor of WA!

[kadicoffee]

12:56 AM on 07/25/2012

Never heard of him

[dumocraps]

01:57 PM on 03/11/2012

Now if only a couple hundred more would follow suit, the country would be back on track.

[dfranz]

07:43 PM on 03/11/2012

I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. a Democrat will take his place. Republicans House members in Washington State only have a chance in sparsely populated eastern Washington.

[lexigram]

06:48 AM on 03/12/2012

Look for the lone woman in granny clothes standing behind Boehner in all their photo ops. That's the eastern Washington gift to the government. She's a birther, too.

[main945]

01:13 AM on 03/12/2012

Yeah, just like the bush years. War, and financial meltdowns to keep our minds off the fact that he is protecting bin laden. Been on that track, don't like it.

[kadicoffee]

01:06 AM on 07/25/2012

Just like the Obama years who has increased the national debt to where now it is $16,000,000,000,000. Who gave big banks stimulus money and then turns on them.
In a moment Obama's Attorney General of the United States could file charges against these institutions-that is his area.
Obama has just sent 12 subs, a carrier, many planes and military folks to the Persian Gulf to protect the Straight of Hormuz where 25% of the world's oil flows.
Obama had said that is was unpatriotic the amount of money Bush had increased the national debt-what Bush did in 8 years Obama has spent in 4 years.
Hmm-

[NoQuarter472]

12:42 PM on 03/11/2012

Maybe since Spitzer is hosting his gubernatorial bid, Elliot will have some hot hostesses for the event or for dessert.

[LFox6]

12:06 PM on 03/11/2012

True what they say, the only good Dem is a retired Dem....oh, or a defeated Dem - fillum at 11, 11/7 that is

[tp101056]

11:45 AM on 03/11/2012

Keep up the hating. Hell ain't half full yet!!!

[Nancy66]

04:10 PM on 03/11/2012

Talk about someone "dumb". Your family should be so proud.

[ydnas639]

06:49 PM on 03/11/2012

His family should be told that he chewed through the restraints, again.

[CountLeo]

11:16 AM on 03/11/2012

Very happy to see Inslee leaving DC but saddened to know that he will be spending more time in Seattle.

[blue2012]

10:59 AM on 03/11/2012

This is what the GOP does, they come on this site and try to put us on the defense, because they have no explanation for the Sorry bunch of people running for the Pres.Office. And all they do over there on Faux News is lie.Talk About Your own Candidates , Go get on that Moon Colony with Newt,
put your Whole Family on top of a car and go campaign for Miit the Flipper Flopper, Visit Ron at his medical office and get your head checked, Rick you can just ask him to pray no one else in your family goes to school and you can all get a job at Mickey D's.

[The Moondog]

11:56 AM on 03/11/2012

I really cannot comment about lies, I do see many opinions. On the other hand posters like you who spread hatred is what is really wrong with America. There isn't one media outlet that is not biased one way or the other. Treat each with the same caution and take from them what you like, but, if you had your way on your friends who share your view would be allowed to exercise their Constitutional Rights and that is VERY ANTI-AMERICAN. Thanks for showing your true colors.

[mwmwmw]

12:25 PM on 03/11/2012

You must have your blinders on.

P.S. can you edit your sentence so that it makes sense?

[blue2012]

01:16 PM on 03/11/2012

Oh Moondog ,you see I just read some of your post.How you Lie How you Lie

Moondog. I spread no hate Read some of my post esp, those with Videos links,Okay,when your done take the links and Share, Okay. give one to each GOP candidate.

[mwmwmw]

12:21 PM on 03/11/2012

Made my day!