Joe Biden endorses Jay Inslee for Washington governor
Sep 22, 2020, 12:33 PM
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden offered his endorsement to incumbent Washington state Governor Jay Inslee on Tuesday.
With Primary in rearview, Loren Culp gears up for fight against Inslee
Inslee announced the endorsement on Twitter, stating that he is “looking forward to working with a leader who follows science and is committed to delivering results for working families.”
Biden cited Inslee’s role as a “national leader during the COVID-19 crisis” as one of the driving reasons behind his endorsement, going on to praise the governor for “expanding health care, passing paid family leave, providing sick leave to every Washington worker, and making historic investments in transportation and education.”
“Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Governor Inslee has shown strong, steady leadership to protect Washingtonians,” Biden said. “I am proud to endorse his candidacy and look forward to working alongside him to further expand access to health care, rebuild a strong economy, and continue the global fight against climate change.”
I am proud to have the endorsement of the next President of the United States, @JoeBiden.
I look forward to working with a leader who follows science and is committed to delivering results for working families. pic.twitter.com/yOURUibx2C
— Jay Inslee (@JayInslee) September 22, 2020
Inslee garnered just over 50% of the vote in August’s Primary, followed by Republican Loren Culp. The two candidates are scheduled to square off in a debate on Oct. 7, after heated negotiations that nearly saw the debate called off altogether as the two warred over whether to debate in person or virtually.
Inslee was first elected governor in 2012, when he edged out former state Attorney General Rob McKenna 51% to 48%. He won reelection in 2016 over Republican challenger Bill Bryant by a 54% to 45% margin.
Inslee was steadily polling at or above 50% prior to the primaries, and above 60% in polls pitting him against each of the major Republican candidates in November.
