Gov. Inslee: Dems, Republicans do not ‘own the secretary of state’s office’

Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman announced her resignation this week, accepting a new role as the Senior Election Security Lead for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Washington Sec. of State Wyman resigns, ticketed for new role with Biden administration

“She is a great fit to lead this effort,” Gov. Inslee said during a press conference Thursday. “Congratulations to the Biden administration to recognizing how she could help the nation.”

Gov. Inslee is in charge of appointing a replacement, which he says will happen in the coming weeks.

“I believe regardless of who is in that spot, they will continue the vital work that Kim put in place in this office — we wish her well,” he said.

Following Wyman’s resignation, members of the Republican Party have asked that Inslee select a Republican replacement for secretary of state since Wyman is a Republican.

“We haven’t ruled anything in or anything out,” Inslee replied when asked about potential replacements. “But I do disagree with the Republican Party where they think that somehow the Republican Party owns a particular office.”

“The Democrats have done pretty well in the governor’s office for decades, but the Democratic Party does not own the governor’s office,” Inslee continued. “Republicans have done well in the secretary of state’s office, but they do not own the secretary of state’s office. Nobody owns these offices.”

Washington GOP worried about state’s future as Kim Wyman leaves role

When asked what criteria the governor will be using to select a replacement or what qualities he’s looking for, he replied, “All of them, to quote Sarah Palin.”

“All the qualities you look for in an appointed position are important in this,” Inslee said. “… I will mention that I think that we need to look at this from a national security lens. We are being attacked by nation states in this regard, and I will want someone who has the capability to engage the federal government, our cyber security forces through the National Guard, that can respond as a national security threat, which indeed it is.”

“And I will look for someone that can continue Kim’s work both in cybersecurity, but in general, assuring the integrity of the process, and we appreciate her willingness to do that, her willingness to buck folks who refused to honor the election results,” he added. “Obviously, we’ll want someone to do that as well.”

Follow @http://twitter.com/Mynorthwest