Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is ready “to pass the torch” as he announced on Monday that he will not be running for re-election in 2024.
Inslee was elected governor in 2012 and has served for three consecutive terms. He calls his longevity in office “my greatest honor.”
Inslee began his career in politics as a state legislator, serving in the Washington State House from 1989–1993. He was then elected as a U.S. Representative in the 1st (1999–2012) and 4th Congressional Districts (1993–1995).
Inslee has since achieved many political milestones as the governor of Washington, such as the Democrat’s climate change initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, achieving the lowest COVID death rate in the country, and most recently, introducing further restrictions in an effort to curb gun violence.
Earlier this month, Inslee became the first governor of the United States to ban AR-15s, AK-47s, and similar semi-automatic rifles, which has been a controversial issue among politicians and Americans amid increasingly violent use of guns.
“No one needs an AR-15 to protect your family,” Inslee added about the new law. “You only need it to kill other families.”
Inslee has faced criticism for certain policy actions during his terms as Washington governor.
Despite the criticism, Inslee is proud of the accomplishments he has achieved that he believes has improved the lives of the people he has served during his reign.
“As governor, I have seen my role as inspiring our state ever forward and ever higher. I’m gratified to be able to say that this approach has worked to improve Washingtonians’ lives in many ways and in many places,” Inslee said in a statement.
Inslee is committed to continuing to improve Washington and make positive impacts during the remainder of his term until a new governor is elected into office. His term ends on Jan. 13, 2025.
“Now is the time to intensely focus on all we can accomplish in the next year and a half, and I intend to do just that. I look forward to continued partnership with legislators and community leaders to address Washington’s homelessness crisis, speed our efforts to expand behavioral health services, continue our fight against climate change, and continue making Washington a beacon of progress for all,” Inslee concluded in his statement.