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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Governor

Election Results

Candidate Votes Pct
Jay Inslee (D) 1,573,547 54.65%
Bill Bryant (R) 1,305,765 45.35%

* Race percentages are calculated with data from the Secretary of State's Office, which omits write-in votes from its calculations when there are too few to affect the outcome. The Spokane County Auditor's Office may have slightly different percentages than are reflected here because its figures include any write-in votes.

About The Race

Jay Inslee is seeking his second term at a time when the state’s economy is doing well. But his Republican opponent, Bill Bryant, said it’s time for change, given problems facing some state agencies and the continuing delay in funding education, as the state Supreme Court has demanded.

Inslee said that under his leadership the state has invested billions in public education and made “significant strides” to increase pay for teachers and increase access to kindergarten. “That’s progress,” he said at a recent debate. And the economy has done well while he has been governor. Unemployment is down and thousands of jobs have been created.

But Bryant points to problems facing the state’s mental health system, including security lapses at Western State Hospital. He also said Inslee hasn’t made enough progress to improve school funding.

Bryant said at the debate he would increase funding for education by dedicating any revenue growth to schools, and would scrutinize existing government spending. Inslee countered that such an approach “won’t work” because it would take needed resources from other areas of government, like mental health and housing.

Inslee backs the state initiative to raise the minimum wage to $13.50 by 2020. Bryant opposes it.

Earlier this year, Inslee gave final approval to the casino proposed by the Spokane Tribe, saying it would boost the economy and provide jobs. Bryant argues the casino puts nearby Fairchild Air Force Base, the county’s largest employer, at risk. Inslee disputes that Fairchild would be harmed.

Inslee’s campaign focused earlier on Bryant’s decision to avoid taking a position on Donald Trump. But Bryant eventually announced he would not vote for Trump, and accused Inslee of diverting attention from state issues.

The Candidates

Jay Inslee

Party:
Democratic
Age:
73
City:
Bainbridge Island, Washington

Education: Earned bachelor’s degree from University of Washington; earned law degree from Willamette University Law School.

Work experience: Former prosecuting attorney, author.

Political experience: Elected governor in 2012 and 2016; member of state Legislature, 1989-92; member U.S. House 1993-94; 1999-2012. Ran for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, but dropped out before any primary or caucus.

Family: Married to Trudi Inslee. Has three children.

Campaign financing: Raised $6.7 million in contributions as of Oct. 2, 2020, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission, including almost $1.4 million from state Democratic Central Committee and $328,000 in small contributions under $25. 

Bill Bryant

Party:
Republican
Age:
63
City:
Seattle, WA

Education: School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University

Work experience: Founder of agriculture export assistance company; former vice president NW Horticultural Council; former director of Governor’s Council on International Trade.

Political experience: Twice elected to Seattle Port Commission

Family: Married

Complete Coverage

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Special joint session of Legislature opening

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Wednesday is Inauguration Day in Washington, with elected executive officers sworn in and a speech by the governor to a joint session of the Legislature. Party at night.

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Shawn Vestal: Jay Inslee might have mentioned ‘bold’ tax plan sooner

When the governor announced that he would seek major tax increases to fully fund schools and meet other pressing state needs, he called it “bold.” You know what would have been more bold? To have told everyone before the election that he intended to be so bold after it.

Loss of Obamacare could affect 750,000 Washington residents

Washington has about 750,000 residents who get health insurance because of Obamacare. How Congress repeals or revises the system would affect them, the health care system and the state’s economy.

Sunday Spin marks the highlights and low-lifes of Politics 2016

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A shooting at a Skagit County shopping mall that killed five people ranging in age from 16 to 95 was voted the state’s top news story of 2016 by Associated Press member editors and AP staff.