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Jay Inslee
Jay Inslee (D) is the 23rd governor of Washington state and was a 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries candidate and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Associations:
Equal Rights Washington
American Federation of Teachers of Washington
Washington Conservation Voters
party
Republican
jurisdiction
Washington
service dates
January 16, 2013 - Present
gender
Male
Personal Moments
1951
Jay Robert Inslee is born in Seattle
Inslee, the eldest of three boys, is born to Adele and Frank Inslee.
1969
Inslee begins his studies at Stanford University.
Having recently graduated high school, Inslee begins college studying medicine but is forced to drop out.
1972
Inslee gets married.
Jay Inslee married his high school sweetheart, Trudi Tindall, on August 27, 1972.
1976
Graduates with his law degree from Willamette University
Inslee graduates from Willamette University School of Law, earning a Juris Doctor in 1976.
Campaign History
1985
Campaigning for new school construction
Jay Inslee becomes politically active while campaigning for the construction of a new high school.
1988
Elected Washington state representative
Inslee wins an open seat with 52% of the vote.
1992
Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives
Inslee defeats Republican candidate Doc Hastings in a 51% to 49% victory.
1994
Defeated in U.S. House re-election bid
Inslee loses to Doc Hastings by a 4% margin in a re-match of the 1992 election.
1996
Defeated in Washington state gubernatorial primary
Inslee receives 10% of the primary vote and loses to eventual governor Gary Locke.
1999
Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives
Inslee defeats opponent Rick White in a 49.8% to 44.1% race. He is reelected six times.
2012
Elected Governor of Washington
With 51% of the vote, Inslee is elected Governor of Washington - an office he holds to this day.
Candidate Positions
Climate Change
Focused on systemic inequality, one of Inslee’s primary concerns is how climate change disproportionately impacts lower-income communities. He has been committed to transitioning from using fossil fuels to using 100% clean energy, with the goal of first helping the communities most affected by climate change's negative effects.
Healthcare Access
Inslee’s take on healthcare is that it is a fundamental right and that it should both be accessible and affordable to all. As such he has been a strong advocate for care benefit programs for seniors, expansion of healthcare coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, and has pushed for the reformation of the mental health system among other things.
Social Security
Inslee believes that everyone should be protected against economic insecurity and unemployment, and has therefore supported initiatives such as increasing the minimum wage, affording paid sick leave for all workers, as well as paid family leave, and since COVID, protection for frontline workers.
Legislative News
May 18, 2021
Signed Bill
- New law signed by Jay Inslee presents guidelines and guardrails for specific police tactics that may be employed, such as prohibiting chokeholds and neck restraints.
May 13, 2019
Signed Bill
- New law signed by Jay Inslee implemented the nation’s first public healthcare option law which offers more affordable coverage options.
March 28, 2018
Signed Bill
- Legislation banning conversion therapy is passed by the Washington State legislature that aims to protect LGBTQ youth.
November 2012
Signed Bill
- Ballot initiative legalizing recreational cannabis in Washington state for adults over 21. The bill also taxes marijuana-related products and designates the revenue for substance-abuse prevention and education as well as for healthcare.
Key Issues:
Climate Change
Healthcare Access
Social Security