Career Timeline of Jay Inslee: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Jay Inslee built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Jay Inslee is an American politician and lawyer who served as the 23rd governor of Washington from 2013 to 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, he also served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 to 1995 and again from 1999 to 2012. Inslee was a candidate for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, highlighting his prominence within the party and his focus on national-level issues.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

1985: Became Politically Active

In 1985, Jay Inslee first became politically active, advocating for the construction of a new high school.

1988: Ran for Washington House of Representatives

In 1988, Jay Inslee ran for the Washington House of Representatives after Jim Lewis left office.

1989: Washington House of Representatives

In 1989, Jay Inslee served in the Washington House of Representatives.

1990: Re-elected to Washington House of Representatives

In 1990, Jay Inslee was re-elected to the Washington House of Representatives with 62% of the vote against Ted Mellotte.

1991: Voted for Energy Strategy Bill

In 1991, Jay Inslee, as part of the Washington state legislature, voted for a bill requiring the state to devise a cost-effective energy strategy and for state agencies and school districts to pursue energy-efficient operations.

1992: Opponent in 1994 Election

In 1992, Doc Hastings was Jay Inslee's opponent, who defeated him in 1994.

1992: Campaign for U.S. Representative

In 1992, Jay Inslee launched a campaign for the open Congressional seat for Washington's 4th congressional district.

1992: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives

In 1992, Jay Inslee was elected to represent Washington's 4th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

1993: U.S. House of Representatives Member

In 1993, Jay Inslee became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

1993: End of term in Washington House of Representatives

In 1993, Jay Inslee's term in the Washington House of Representatives ended.

1994: Lost Reelection Bid

In 1994, Jay Inslee lost his bid for reelection due to his vote for the Federal Assault Weapons Ban.

1994: Defeated for reelection

In 1994, Jay Inslee was defeated for reelection and briefly returned to private legal practice.

1995: End of first term as U.S. Representative

In 1995, Jay Inslee's first term as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives ended.

1996: Ellen Craswell's Gubernatorial Nomination

In 1996, Ellen Craswell became a GOP Gubernatorial Nominee. Her husband Bruce Craswell ran as a third party candidate in 1998 which inadvertently helped Jay Inslee get back into congress.

1996: First run for governor of Washington

In 1996, Jay Inslee made his first run for governor of Washington, coming in fifth in the blanket primary with 10% of the vote.

1998: Ran for Congress in 1st Congressional District

In 1998, Jay Inslee ran for Congress in the 1st congressional district and won against Rick White.

1999: Return to U.S. House of Representatives

In 1999, Jay Inslee became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives again.

2000: Re-election to Congress

In 2000, Jay Inslee was re-elected to Congress, defeating Dan McDonald with 54.6% of the vote.

December 19, 2002: Apollo-like Energy Program Proposal

On December 19, 2002, Jay Inslee was the first public figure to propose an Apollo-like energy program in an opinion editorial in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

2002: Re-election to Congress After Redistricting

In 2002, after redistricting made his district more Democratic, Jay Inslee defeated Joe Marine with 55.6% of the vote to be re-elected to Congress.

July 2003: Briefly Considered Gubernatorial Bid

In July 2003, after Gary Locke announced he would not seek a third term, Jay Inslee briefly considered running for governor before deciding to remain in Congress.

2005: Donations

In data compiled for the period 2005 to 2007, 64 percent of Jay Inslee's donations were from outside the state of Washington.

July 31, 2007: Legislation calling for inquiry

On July 31, 2007, Jay Inslee introduced legislation calling for an inquiry to determine whether then United States Attorney General Alberto Gonzales should be impeached.

2007: Donations

In data compiled for the period 2005 to 2007, 64 percent of Jay Inslee's donations were from outside the state of Washington.

2009: Campaign Fundraising

During the 2009-2010 campaign cycle, Jay Inslee raised $1,140,025.

2010: Campaign Fundraising

During the 2009-2010 campaign cycle, Jay Inslee raised $1,140,025.

2010: Won by 15 Points

In 2010, Jay Inslee won by a 15-point margin, with 57.67% of the votes cast in his favor.

June 27, 2011: Announced Candidacy for Governor

On June 27, 2011, Jay Inslee announced his candidacy for governor of Washington.

2011: Voted on Use of Armed Forces in Libya

In 2011, Jay Inslee voted in favor of authorizing the use of U.S. armed forces in the 2011 Libyan civil war.

2011: House Hearing on Energy Tax Prevention Act

In 2011, during a House hearing on the Energy Tax Prevention Act, Jay Inslee stated that Republicans have "an allergy to science and scientists" during a discussion of greenhouse gas regulation.

March 20, 2012: Left Congress to Focus on Campaign

On March 20, 2012, Jay Inslee left Congress to focus on his campaign for governor of Washington.

2012: Run for Governorship

In 2012, Jay Inslee defeated Republican Rob McKenna to become Governor of Washington.

2012: End of second term as U.S. Representative

In 2012, Jay Inslee's second term as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives ended.

June 13, 2013: Inslee Signs Estate Tax into Law

On June 13, 2013, Governor Inslee signed an additional estate tax into law, which had bipartisan support and passed the Senate with a 30-19 vote.

June 2013: Inslee Signs $33.6 Billion Budget

In June 2013, Governor Inslee signed a $33.6 billion compromise budget after the Republican-controlled Senate and Democratic-controlled House failed to agree during the initial session. The budget increased education funding by $1 billion and adjusted property taxes to increase state revenue by $1 billion.

December 2013: Inslee Elected Finance Chair of Democratic Governors Association

In December 2013, Jay Inslee was elected to serve as finance chair of the Democratic Governors Association.

2013: 23rd Governor of Washington

In 2013, Jay Inslee became the 23rd governor of Washington.

January 2014: Inslee Commends Machinists for Renewing Boeing Contract

In January 2014, Governor Inslee gave a speech commending machinists who voted to renew Boeing's contract with Seattle area union employees, allowing the company to build its Boeing 777x aircraft in Everett.

February 11, 2014: Inslee Announces Moratorium on Executions

On February 11, 2014, Governor Inslee announced a moratorium on executions in Washington State.

December 2015: Announced Run for Second Term as Governor

In December 2015, Jay Inslee announced that he would run for a second term as governor of Washington.

2016: Re-elected to Second Term

In 2016, Jay Inslee was reelected to a second term as governor.

January 11, 2017: Inslee Begins Second Term

On January 11, 2017, Jay Inslee began his second term as governor of Washington, proposing full funding of state education, addressing mental health needs, and raising worker pay.

December 2017: Inslee Awards Funding for Career Connect Washington

In December 2017, Governor Inslee awarded $6.4 million in grant funding for apprenticeships and career connections to 29,000 youth in 11 communities through the initiative 'Career Connect Washington'.

December 2018: Inslee Announces Legislation to Reduce Carbon Emissions

In December 2018, Governor Inslee announced new legislation aimed at reducing Washington state's carbon emissions over approximately two decades, including ending the use of fossil fuels by mid-century and promoting electric and low-emission vehicles.

2018: Inslee Chairs Democratic Governors Association

In 2018, Jay Inslee served as chair of the Democratic Governors Association, during which Democrats gained seven net governorships nationwide.

2018: Speculation of Inslee Running for President

Throughout 2018, there was growing speculation that Inslee might run for president of the United States in the 2020 election. This speculation was fueled by his role in Washington v. Trump and his position as chair of the Democratic Governors Association.

January 2019: Inslee Expedites Cannabis Possession Pardons

In January 2019, Governor Inslee announced an expedited process for approximately 3,500 people convicted of small-time cannabis possession to apply for and receive pardons.

January 2019: Inslee Forms Exploratory Committee

In January 2019, reports surfaced that Jay Inslee was forming an exploratory committee, marking the first step in a potential presidential campaign.

March 1, 2019: Inslee Announces Presidential Run

On March 1, 2019, Jay Inslee announced his candidacy for president of the United States, while leaving open the option of running for a third term as governor if his presidential bid proved unsuccessful.

August 21, 2019: Inslee Drops Out of Presidential Campaign

On August 21, 2019, Jay Inslee withdrew from the presidential campaign. The next day he announced his intention to seek reelection as governor of Washington State.

April 22, 2020: Inslee Endorses Joe Biden for President

On April 22, 2020, Jay Inslee endorsed Joe Biden for the presidency.

November 2020: Inslee Considered for Biden Administration Positions

In November 2020, Jay Inslee was named as a potential candidate for Secretary of Energy, Secretary of the Interior, and administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in the incoming Biden Administration.

2020: Candidate for Democratic presidential nomination

In 2020, Jay Inslee was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.

2020: Re-elected to Third Term

In 2020, Jay Inslee was reelected to a third term as governor.

2020: Inslee Presidential Consideration

Speculation rose throughout 2018 that Inslee might run for president of the United States in the 2020 election.

January 13, 2021: Inslee Begins Third Term

On January 13, 2021, Jay Inslee began his third term as the governor of Washington.

April 8, 2021: Inslee Signs Bill Restoring Voting Rights to Felons

On April 8, 2021, Governor Inslee signed a bill restoring voting rights to convicted felons after they finish serving their sentences, making Washington the 20th state with such laws.

May 4, 2021: Inslee Signs Capital Gains Tax into Law

On May 4, 2021, Governor Inslee signed a new capital gains tax into law that taxes profits of $250,000 or more at 7% on certain investments. Lawsuits followed, alleging the tax is an unconstitutional state income tax in disguise.

May 1, 2023: Announced Not Running for Fourth Term

On May 1, 2023, Jay Inslee announced that he would not run for a fourth term as governor.

May 2023: Inslee Announces He Will Not Run for Fourth Term

In May 2023, Governor Inslee announced that he would not run for a fourth term in the 2024 election, despite having filed initial paperwork.

2023: Legislative and Legal Actions in 2023

In 2023, Governor Inslee praised the Washington House of Representatives' passage of a bill banning assault weapons. Also in 2023, conservative organizations sued the Washington state government over SB5599, a bill Inslee signed into law concerning medical treatments for minors without parental notification in youth shelters.