Inslee announces he won't seek reelection in 2024 (Republic: tax, vs.)

[MtnSurfer]

Interesting turn of events. I know lots of people hate on Inslee and he went through a lot during Covid. Evidently, he's decided its time to pass the torch. While some may think this is a good thing, be careful what you wish for. We experienced something similar in CA when Gov. Jerry Brown finally left office only to be replaced by Gavin Newson which was not an improvement. Old 'moonbeam' actually did a lot for California back in the day.

Gov. Jay Inslee announces he won't seek reelection in Washington state

Typically, folks are upset with Inslee about all the usual stuff, and yeah, I get it after the capital gains tax. But at least for me, Inslee wasn't terrible. And if we are going to end up with someone much more tax happy among other not so great things, there's no guaranteeing a better replacement. I don't even know who his most likely successors are.

What are the chances a Republican could replace him? I know people doubt that knowing the higher percentages of Dems vs. Repubs across the state. But with the right, moderate candidate I've seen stranger things happen like the Terminator in CA. He was maligned by the right for being too liberal and the left complained about his conservative views. But the people voted him in, nonetheless. I'm not sure WA would have such a generally appealing candidate on the right. But pendulums do tend to swing especially after a long run from the other side. So, its going to be an interesting time in WA's history to see who shows up and if there is anything of substance there beyond the latest toxic twitter wars of current day politics. A think a Trump style wannabe clone is a DOA proposition. Will the best man or women win with some actual substance? Or, will it simply be the most loud, obnoxious, flamboyant media mogul? I guess only time will tell.

Derek

[PS90]

I would have to dig up the reference, but there was a report by an independent libertarian political group published about 4-5 years ago, that labeled Inslee as the absolute worst - 50th out of 50 - governor for tax-and-spend politics.

Good riddance. The only problem is the heir apparent is Turd Ferguson, who is likely to be even further left.

[rantiquity]

Originally Posted by PS90

I would have to dig up the reference, but there was a report by an independent libertarian political group published about 4-5 years ago, that labeled Inslee as the absolute worst - 50th out of 50 - governor for tax-and-spend politics.

Good riddance. The only problem is the heir apparent is Turd Ferguson, who is likely to be even further left.

Not sure if Islee is worst then Newsom but close.
No worry...... another brain dead democratic will take his place.

[87112]

Was he that bad? I remember so many people were cheering when he fired as many non vaxxers as possible under his rule.

No shot, no job.

[Transmition]

He's pretty slimey, but given the choice between him and the five-year-old that the Republicans put forward it wasn't much contest. A Republican has the ability to win in this state but we never get any good candidates from their party.

[MtnSurfer]

Apparently, my google feed is reading my mind. Here are the current potential Inslee replacements:

With Inslee out, here's who might run for Washington governor

Looks like very little is known about the Republican side yet. I can imagine them scrambling a bit to come up with something viable. The last Republican elected as governor of Washington was John Spellman in 1980. So, that's a long time, much longer than CA or other western states besides OR which is about the same.


Derek

[Hemlock140]

I'm happy to see him go, but there is always a chance of getting someone worse. I wonder if Dino Rossi will give it another shot? The Republicans have no chance if they keep running unknown one-issue candidates like Culp.

[PS90]

Originally Posted by Transmition

He's pretty slimey, but given the choice between him and the five-year-old that the Republicans put forward it wasn't much contest. A Republican has the ability to win in this state but we never get any good candidates from their party.

Do you blame them? At this point, the effort and fundraising that needs to be put in by a Republican in WA would have to be 100x the effort that someone like Ferguson will have to put in to get enough votes.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

I thought he was running for president. So he would have to give up governor's job.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

I thought he was running for president. So he would have to give up governor's job.

Assuming that's a joke. All reports point to his retirement vs. running for president.

So, who do you think should replace him?

Derek