Inslee to Resign from Congressional Seat to Focus Full-Time on Gubernatorial Campaign

The Democratic candidate for Washington governor, Jay Inslee, today announced that he will step down from his seat in Congress to focus full time on his campaign.

Inslee says he plans to talk to voters about rebuilding Washington’s economy and creating jobs for the nearly 300,000 people still out of work.

“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 his campaign headquarters today. “We have a great chance to seize our own destiny, build our own industries, and create our own technological revolutions right here at home.”

“I am not one for half measures or half-hearted efforts,” continued Inslee. “I am going to leave everything on the field. I am going everywhere and I am going to listen to everybody. If you have an idea, I want to hear it. If you have a problem, I want to know it. If you have a business, I want to help you grow it. I am all in.”

Inslee, who is currently leading in fundraising and running neck-in-neck with a top opponent based on recent polls, said he made the decision very recently after watching the GOP presidential nominees visiting Washington with what Inslee described as a “divisive social issues agenda” and then seeing state Republicans offer budget proposals that slashed education funding.

“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 has represented the 1st Congressional District, which includes Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, since the late 1990s. His resignation is effective March 20.

Other prominent politicians also have announced gubernatorial runs. State Attorney General Rob McKenna, a Republican who lives in Bellevue, post.

The Associated Press reported (read its story, via the Seattle P-I) that Democrats had been urging Inslee to make this move.

The Washington State Republican Party issued a statement criticizing Inslee's move, pointing out that if he had left his seat last weekend, it would have triggered a special election for his seat.

"It's shameful of Congressman Inslee to lie to his constituents and the people of Washington about his intentions," said WSRP Chairman Kirby Wilbur. "The people elect individuals to office to serve a 'public trust,' and his calculated actions today just show that the people of Washington cannot trust Congressman Inslee to keep his word."

-- Information from Shoreline Patch was used in this report