Editorial: Only strong candidates need apply for governor

By The Herald Editorial Board

Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement Monday morning that he would not seek a fourth — and record-tying — term as governor, now opens the way for a series of knock-on announcements from those who previously have been identified as potential candidates.

With more than a year left of his third term, it’s a little early for retrospectives of his legacy, just as putting up yard signs for the next governor’s election would be premature. But Inslee’s decision not to run again means that potential candidates can begin their fundraising and other preparations.

Potential Democratic challengers have deferred to Inslee in the last two elections. While Republican candidates have only lost ground in running against Inslee. After then-state Attorney General Rob McKenna mounted a challenge to the former member of Congress in the 2012 election, finishing 3 percentage points behind Inslee, the GOP fell further behind in the following contests: with former Seattle Port Commissioner Bill Bryant by 8.75 points in 2016; and small-town police chief and election denier Loren Culp by 13.5 points in 2020.

With Inslee “ready to pass the torch,” here’s the opportunity, then, for both parties — and perhaps an independent or two — to step up and offer the state’s voters a strong, experienced and serious field of candidates. And for Republicans, whose last state-wide elected official was former Secretary of State Kim Wyman, here’s the chance and expectation for it to find someone to lead their ticket with broader appeal than the bomb-throwing zealots Donald Trump backed in recent state and congressional races.

https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/editorial-only-strong-candidates-need-apply-for-governor/