Jay entered public service in 1985, successfully fighting for a new public high school in Selah. Four years later, he became a state representative in the 14th legislative district. In 1993, Jay was elected to Congress as a representative of the 4th Congressional District. In 1997, after a return to private law, Jay was appointed regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where he oversaw programs in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The Inslees returned to Puget Sound in 1998, where Jay represented the 1st Congressional District for 13 years. In 2012, Jay was elected Washington’s 23rd governor.

 

Through his time as governor, Jay’s focus has been on building a brighter future for every Washingtonian. Under his clear leadership, Washington’s economy has been ranked number one for both businesses and workers. In achieving this, the state has become a vital roadmap for the rest of the nation.

 

Jay has steadily led the way for profound social and economic changes in Washington: raising the minimum wage, passing best-in-the-nation paid family leave, providing sick leave to every Washington worker, and making historic investments in transportation and education. And he has firmly established the state of Washington as the national leader in fighting climate change. Since 2013, the state has passed nation-leading policies to transition to 100% clean electricity, cap carbon pollution, electrify transportation, and more.