MYNORTHWEST NEWS

After eight years, Governor Gregoire getting back behind wheel

Dec 14, 2012, 1:13 PM | Updated: 1:45 pm

Governor Christine Gregoire says relearning to drive is on her list after eight years of chauffeur ...

Governor Christine Gregoire says relearning to drive is on her list after eight years of chauffeur service in Olympia. (Undated Gregoire campaign Flickr image)

(Undated Gregoire campaign Flickr image)

For the last eight years, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire has been chauffeured around by the State Patrol. As she gets ready to return to private life, she’s looking forward to getting back behind the wheel.

“I want to get in a car and just drive,” Gregoire told TVW’s “Inside Olympia” program.

She’s admittedly rusty, but that’s what happens when you spend all your time doing the people’s business from the back of a Chevy Suburban.

So the governor is heading back to driver’s ed, with the State Patrol in the passenger seat.

“No one needs to panic. I’m going to go out to the academy and get some driving instruction to make sure that my skills are what they need to be because after eight years, I want to make sure,” she said.

Gregoire said she enjoys driving and has missed the freedom of doing it during her two terms as governor. She officially returns to private life when Jay Inslee is inaugurated Jan. 16, 2013.

MyNorthwest News

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After eight years, Governor Gregoire getting back behind wheel