Jay Inslee defends resignation from Congress for governor run
Mar 14, 2012, 11:30 AM | Updated: Oct 14, 2024, 10:16 am
Democrat Jay Inslee is defending his decision to resign from Congress and focus full time on his run for governor. (AP image)
(AP image)
 Democrat Jay Inslee is defending his decision to resign from Congress and focus full time on his run for governor. (AP image) |
Washington Congressman Jay Inslee insists he’s nothing
like Sarah Palin, despite scathing criticism after he
resigned to focus full time on his run for governor.
“She was leaving the governorship. I’m going towards
the
governorship and I am expanding my public service, not
contracting it,” Inslee said in an appearance on 97.3 KIRO
FM’s Ross and Burbank Show.
“I now represent one-ninth of the state. I seek to help
the whole state,” he said.
Seattle Times
columnist Danny Westneat sharply criticized Inslee in
a column Wednesday, especially his real motives and the
timing.
“The only “deepening loss” Inslee is trying to avoid is
to his own political prospects,” Westneat wrote.
“Plus, there’s how he quit. Had he done it a week
sooner, there would have been a special election to get
someone to serve out his term.”
Instead,
Inslee’s congressional seat will remain vacant until next
year.
But Inslee insisted while it was a difficult decision,
it was the right one for the state.
“I had to weigh how I thought I could my serve
neighbors and my community the best and I am convinced the
governor’s office is the place where we can really move
the ball
right now,” he said.
Inslee argued with the ongoing gridlock in Congress,
there’s little he could have gotten done in D.C.
“The place that we can really help create jobs, and
that’s the fundamental need of the people I represent now,
is right here in Washington state. And this is the place
where we can control our destiny and this is the place
where I can help get 285,000 people back to work,” Inslee
told Ross and Burbank.
Inslee is focusing his campaign on a 30-page jobs
creation plan he says is built around innovation, and
argues his opponent Rob McKenna has none.
“We have a very comprehensive plan on how to grow the
biotechnology industry, how to grow the aerospace
industry, and how to help the clean energy industry.”
Along with trailing in the polls, he’ll now have to
overcome critics like Westneat. But not everyone is upset.
The Everett Herald essentially endorsed the move,
suggesting there were few if any important votes left in
this legislative session.
Listen to
Jay Inslee/Democratic candidate for
Governor
