Inslee Leaving Congress for Governor Campaign

Democratic candidate for governor, Jay Inslee, announced Saturday that he will step down from his seat in Congress to focus full time on his campaign, according to a press realease from his campaign. 

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

The 60-year-old Democrat is seeking the state’s highest office for the second time—he ran unsuccessfully in 1996—after serving south Snohomish, north King and Kitsap counties in the state’s 1st Congressional District for the past 13 years. A lawyer, he also served eastern Washington’s 4th District in the early 1990s.

“It was a difficult decision, but what I need to do right now is focus all my attention on talking to people about what’s really important – creating jobs and growing our economy,” said Inslee.

Inslee’s resignation is effective March 20.