³ÉÈËXÕ¾

MYNORTHWEST OPINION

Yes or no: Is Jay Inslee planning to run for president?

May 22, 2018, 2:02 PM | Updated: 5:13 pm

Gov. Jay Inslee...

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks in front of Western State Hospital in Lakewood. (File, Associated Press)

(File, Associated Press)

There are several aspects of Gov. Jay Inslee’s political life that have caused people to pause and wonder if he’s planning a run for president in 2020. And refusing to answer a yes/no question just further fuels that speculation.

Gov. Jay Inslee: ‘I’m a doodler’

A spokesperson for the governor in his capacity as chair of the when asked to answer simply if the Washington governor planned to run for president: Look, I think that anyone who is thinking past 2018 is doing a disservice to the party.

Earlier this month, DJ Wilson with Washington State Wire laid out his reasoning for why he believes Inslee is considering a presidential run. He pointed to Inslee’s recent travel schedule, which included out-of-country trips to speak on panels, including one on climate change; and the governor’s work to build fundraising infrastructure for the Democratic Party.

On May 21, the Washington State Republican Party criticized Inslee for as much.

“*UPDATE*,” a from the party read. “@GovInslee spotted promoting himself 1,762 miles away in Iowa… still missing from Washington State.”

RELATED: Ex-State Republican Party chair to challenge Cantwell

In June, Inslee will be the keynote speaker at the Iowa Democratic Party Hall of Fame celebration. The reason, , is because the Washington governor “has been a beacon of progress for the nation, expanding access to voting rights, taking steps to reduce gun violence, providing paid sick and the best-paid family leave policies in the nation and raising minimum wage, all while having the strongest state economy in the nation … a stark contrast to the dysfunction in the other Washington.”

Additional actions by Inslee that fueled the speculative fires included confronting President Trump in person over gun control. As the president pushed the idea of arming teachers, Inslee fought back, saying teachers don’t want to be armed. He also added this jab: “we need a little less tweeting, a little more listening.”

MyNorthwest Opinion

childcare snohomish county...

Nate Nehring and Jared Mead, Special Contributors to MyNorthwest

Snohomish County Council members: Here’s how we’re tackling Washington’s childcare crisis

The Snohomish County Council is tackling the state's childcare crisis head-on. Councilmembers Nate Nehring and Jared Mead explain their bipartisan efforts.

1 month ago

INRIX leaving Kirkland...

Kurt Triplett, SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR TO MYNORTHWEST

City of Kirkland: 8 facts everyone needs to know about our permanent supportive housing project

The city of Kirkland wishes to provide insights into its permanent supportive housing project for the homeless at the old La Quinta Inn.

1 month ago

At the Whatcom Humane in Bellingham, the puppy rush came early...

Brandon Thompson, ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ 7 News

56 puppies overwhelm Whatcom Humane in Bellingham

Animal shelters prepare for puppy season as Whatcom Humane welcomes 56 new arrivals, highlighting the need for community support.

2 months ago

employer shuttles bill...

Matt Markovich

Bill to open bus only lanes to employer shuttles sparks debate in Olympia

A proposed bill in Olympia aims to let employer shuttles use transit lanes, igniting discussion among business and transit leaders.

2 months ago

satellites, night sky...

Bill Kaczaraba

Opinion: With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world

American author Max Ehrmann wrote a poem in 1921. It was distributed in a Christmas card in 1933,

1 year ago

Gingerbread House...

MyNorthwest Staff

³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio wins Bonneville Gingerbread House competition

In a tradition unlike any other, the second annual Bonneville Seattle Gingerbread House competition was fierce between multiple departments.

1 year ago

Yes or no: Is Jay Inslee planning to run for president?