Misplaced Pages

Christine Gregoire: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 21:57, 6 June 2006 edit8bitJake (talk | contribs)1,659 edits Restore long held consensus text. Nice Wikistalking FRCP11← Previous edit Latest revision as of 05:58, 21 December 2024 edit undoJevansen (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Page movers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers3,257,902 edits removed Category:21st-century American politicians; added Category:21st-century Washington (state) politicians using HotCat 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Governor of Washington from 2005 to 2013}}
{{Infobox_Governor
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2014}}
|name= Christine Gregoire
{{Infobox officeholder
|image= GregoirePicture.jpg
| name = Christine Gregoire
|caption=
| image = ChristineGregoireOfficial.jpg
|order=22<sup>nd</sup>
| caption = Official portrait, 2006
|office= Governor of Washington
| order = 22nd ]
|term_start= January 2005
| lieutenant = ]
|term_end=''present''
| term_start = January 12, 2005
|lieutenant= ]
| term_end = January 16, 2013
|predecessor= ]
| predecessor = ]
|successor=''incumbent''
| successor = ]
|birth_date= ], ]
| office1 = Chair of the ]
|birth_place= ]
| term_start1 = November 15, 2010
|death_date=
| term_end1 = July 17, 2011
|death_place=
| predecessor1 = ]
|spouse= Mike Gregoire
| successor1 = ]
|profession= ]
| office2 = 16th ]
|party= ]
| governor2 = ]<br>Gary Locke
|footnotes=
| term_start2 = January 13, 1993
| term_end2 = January 12, 2005
| predecessor2 = ]
| successor2 = ]
| office3 = Director of the ]
| term_start3 = January 1, 1988
| term_end3 = January 6, 1992
| governor3 = ]
| predecessor3 =
| successor3 = Chuck Clarke
| birth_name = Christine O'Grady
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1947|03|24}}
| birth_place = ], ], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| spouse = {{marriage|Mike Gregoire|1974}}
| children = 2
| party = ]
| education = ] (])<br>] (])
}} }}
'''Christine Gregoire''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɡ|r|ɛ|ɡ|w|ɑr}}; née '''O'Grady'''; born March 24, 1947) is an American politician who served as the ] from 2005 to 2013. A member of the ], she defeated ] candidate ] in ], and again in ]. She is the state’s second ], and the state’s first female ]. Gregoire chaired the ] for the 2010–2011 term.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309173036/http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/02/26/1560405/gregoire-to-lead-governors-in.html |date=March 9, 2011 }}, ''The News Tribune'', February 28, 2011</ref> She also served on the Governors' Council of the ] in Washington, D.C. Since the death of ] in 2024, Gregoire is the oldest living former governor of Washington.
'''Christine "Chris" O'Grady Gregoire''' (born ], ]) is the ] ] of the ] of ]. Gregoire's ] was notable for her historically slim margin of victory over ] ], who had actually appeared to defeat Gregoire until a second recount of votes reversed the outcome in her favor.


{{TOC limit|3}}
==Biography==
Gregoire was raised in ], and graduated from the ] and ] Law School. She served as the director of the Washington Department of Ecology from 1988 until 1992, when she was first elected attorney general, a post to which she was twice re-elected. While Ecology director she negotiated a triparty agreement in 1989 with the ] and the ] to clean up waste at the ]. As attorney general she sued several times to try to get a more adequate cleanup progress. ] has not appropriated a sufficient level of funding to allow the pace of activity anticipated by the original agreement, now estimated to require a total of $50 to $100 billion. Dissatisfaction with the slow pace of cleanup led to a successful ] in 2004 that requires the refusal of new waste shipments until past cleanup promises are back on track.


==Early life, education, and legal career==
Gregoire was also heavily involved in the lawsuit against the ] in the 1990s and won the state a $4.5 billion share of the settlement, including a $500 million bonus for her lead role. She was critical when a large part of Washington State's share of the money went into the general budget and was not specifically ear-marked for tobacco related issues.
Gregoire was born in ]<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/chris-gregoire-d/gIQA1eOFAP_topic.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141029001309/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/chris-gregoire-d/gIQA1eOFAP_topic.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= October 29, 2014|title=Chris Gregoire (D)|newspaper= The Washington Post |access-date= February 24, 2014|first=Reid|last=Wilson|date=July 25, 2012}}</ref> but was raised in ], by her mother, Sybil Grace Jacobs (née Palmer),<ref>{{cite news| url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20000504/4018982/gregoires-mother-and-inspiration-dies | work=The Seattle Times | title=Gregoire's mother and 'inspiration' dies | date=May 4, 2000}}</ref> who worked as a short-order cook. After graduating from ],<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224031436/http://www.governor.wa.gov/about/default.asp |date=February 24, 2011 }}</ref> she attended the ] in Seattle, graduating in 1969 with a ] in speech and ]. At UW, she became a member of the Sigma Iota chapter of the ] sorority. She then attended ] in ], receiving her ] in 1977.


Gregoire went to work as an assistant attorney general in the office of State Attorney General ], a Republican.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19990307&slug=2947923|title=Gregoire Ponders Leap Into Year Of The Woman 2000|website=archive.seattletimes.com|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> As an assistant attorney general, Gregoire concentrated on child-abuse cases, coordinating with social workers to get children removed from abusive family situations and placed with relatives or foster homes, and was later appointed as the first female Deputy Attorney General.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/legacy/biographies/christinegregoire.aspx|title=Legacy Washington - WA Secretary of State|website=www.sos.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> In 1988, at the end of his first term as ], ] appointed Gregoire director of the ]. During her tenure, Gregoire worked with Gardner to reach an agreement with the federal government to clean up nuclear waste at the ].
Controversy arose in 2000 when Gregoire's office failed to file documents on time in an appeal of a record $17.8 million personal-injury verdict against Washington state. An independent investigation forced state attorney Janet Capps to resign. Capps later sued the state for wrongful termination. Documents from the independent investigation show that Gregoire's deputies attempted to influence the report on who was responsible for the missed deadline. This event is considered the low point in Gregoire's career and her biggest political liability.


== Director of the Department of Ecology ==
In the 2004 gubernatorial race, Gregoire was accused of ] when it was revealed that she belonged to an all-white ] while at the University of Washington. She countered the accusations, noting that she spoke out after graduating. Gregoire defeated ] and four other minor candidates in the primary election on ], ]. Sims campaigned on the need for tax reform. The racial issue was cited as a reason why Gregoire's performance among blacks and liberal whites was not as strong as expected.
Gregoire served four years as director before running for attorney general in 1992. During her tenure, she oversaw the creation of the Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://oilspilltaskforce.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/OSTF_04_WEB.pdf|title=PACIFIC STATES/BRITISH COLUMBIA OIL SPILL TASK FORCE|last=Cameron|first=Jean|date=June 2004|website=The Pacific States - British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force|access-date=March 10, 2020}}</ref> Following an oil spill off the coast of Washington and British Columbia involving the barge ''Nestucca'', Gregoire coordinated with the Canadian government to form a task force to handle concerns West Coast citizens had surrounding oil transportation.


=== Hanford Cleanup ===
During the general election against former state senator and real estate agent ], Gregoire proposed a major initiative in life sciences, especially ] research. She was criticized for being a part of the Olympia establishment but tried to counter the "time for a change" message by saying she would "blow past the bureaucracy" and bring change herself. This language surprised and disappointed many of her colleagues and supporters. She was also criticized for failing to give much mention or credit to the efforts and achievements of past Democratic governors while touting her own public service.
While at the Department of Ecology, Gregoire worked with Gardner and representatives from the ] (EPA) and the ] to coordinate efforts on the ] cleanup. Known by many names, including the Hanford Project, Hanford Works, Hanford Engineer Works, and Hanford Nuclear Reservation, the nuclear facility along the Columbia River in Benton County produced plutonium. The site, established in 1943 to provide support for the ], operated from ] through the ]. Decades of production of plutonium resulted in millions of gallons of ].


In 1989, the Washington State Department of Ecology along with the EPA and the US Department of Energy (DOE) entered into the Tri-Party Agreement, which sets targets, or milestones, for cleanup.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ecology.wa.gov/Waste-Toxics/Nuclear-waste/Hanford-cleanup/Hanford-cleanup-process/Tri-party-agreement|title=Hanford Tri-Party Agreement|work=Washington State Department of Ecology|access-date=May 20, 2019}}</ref>
A major focus of ads attacking Gregoire was her failing to meet a filing deadline as attorney general that ended up costing the state millions of dollars. In 2002, during a wrongful death lawsuit against the state, Gregoire’s office did not detect an error in jury instructions; the state was eventually hit with a $22.4 million judgment as a result of that lawsuit. And in 2000, an assistant attorney general missed a filing deadline in a personal injury lawsuit against the state that eventually cost taxpayers almost $19 million. While Gregoire was not directly in charge of these cases, as Attorney General she was ultimately responsible for them.


=== Centennial Accord ===
When not in Olympia, Gregoire lives in the nearby suburb of ] with her husband Mike. They have two daughters, Courtney and Michelle, both graduates of ].
Following the contentious ] case related to Native American fishing rights, commonly known as the “Boldt Decision,” Gardner undertook to build more lasting, friendly relationships with Washington's Native American tribes. The Accord served to bring parties to the table to negotiate their shared interests. Gregoire played a principal role in helping reach agreements about the natural resource distribution between the tribes and the state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://goia.wa.gov/relations/centennial-accord|title=Centennial Accord {{!}} GOIA|website=goia.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>


==Attorney General of Washington==
==The disputed election==
Gregoire was elected attorney general in 1992 by 11 percentage points over her opponent, ], an attorney who served and was reelected seven times as King County prosecutor. She was Washington's first and only female attorney general.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atg.wa.gov/washingtons-attorneys-general-past-and-present|title=Washington's Attorneys General - Past and Present {{!}} Washington State|website=www.atg.wa.gov|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref><ref name="Olympia">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/results_report.aspx|title=Election Search Results - Elections & Voting - WA Secretary of State|website=www.sos.wa.gov|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/longtime-prosecutor-norm-maleng-dies/|title=Longtime prosecutor Norm Maleng dies|date=2007-05-25|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref> Gregoire was reelected in 1996 and 2000, both times over ], by about 25 and 18 percentage points respectively.<ref name="Olympia"/>
{{Main|Washington gubernatorial election, 2004}}


As attorney general, Gregoire worked on children's issues, helped reform the juvenile system, passed a new ethics law for state government, strengthened rights for victims of identity theft, and worked to find alternatives to litigation in resolving legal disputes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/priorities/education/default.asp|title=Initiative: Education|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=588&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=492&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>
The election was held on ], ]. The initial count showed her trailing Rossi by 261 votes; however, a legally mandated machine recount diminished that lead to only 42 votes. On ], the Democratic Party requested and funded a hand recount. They also filed a motion in the state Supreme Court to request that rejected ballots from ] that were not counted previously be reevaluated. A Pierce County Superior Court judge ruled that ballots should not be counted, but on ], the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the rejected King County ballots should be counted. Of those 732 ballots, 566 were accepted as having valid signatures and were added to the existing total on ]. The final results of the hand count, as of ], had Christine Gregoire ahead by 130 votes, solidifying the 10-vote lead she had before the previously rejected King County ballots were tabulated. On ], Republican Secretary of State ] certified Gregoire as the winner by 129 votes (he removed one vote which had been counted in ] past the deadline).


=== Tobacco master settlement agreement ===
The GOP claimed they knew of military voters overseas who had never received ballots from King County, saying that "wounded soldiers in Falluja" had the right to vote and bringing forth veterans to confront King County election officials; King County election director ] disputed the charge, asserting that all the absentee ballots were sent on time, including ballots to military voters. The GOP then claimed that military voters registered in ] had not received ballots, and that King County officials allowed felons to vote. Election officials in Snohomish and King County disputed these latest charges as well. Republicans said they would use the courts to block any final election results, possibly even going to the federal courts by citing the equal protection clause in the ], or having a new vote. Gregoire's victory was certified in late December, making this the first time in Washington state history that a recount reversed an election result, and making Washington the first state with a female governor and two female US senators (], ]).
During Gregoire's second term as attorney general, the ] was under fire for alleged fraudulent marketing, negligent advertising, and violation of several state consumer protection statutes. Multiple private suits stemming from a 1950s study in the ''British Medical Journal'' linked smoking to lung cancer and heart disease.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Doll|first1=Richard|last2=Hill|first2=A. Bradford|date=1954-06-26|title=The Mortality of Doctors in Relation to Their Smoking Habits|journal=British Medical Journal|volume=1|issue=4877|pages=1451–1455|issn=0007-1447|pmc=2085438|pmid=13160495|doi=10.1136/bmj.1.4877.1451}}</ref> Attorneys General on June 20, 1997, led by Gregoire negotiated a settlement that required tobacco companies to pay more than $206 billion over 25 years in reimbursements to the states for tax dollars spent to treat Medicaid patients for smoking-related illnesses.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/attorney-general-gregoire-announces-historic-tobacco-settlement-washington-dc|title=Attorney General Gregoire Announces Historic Tobacco Settlement in Washington D.C. {{!}} Washington State|website=www.atg.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> The companies also agreed to pay $50 million to national attorneys general for enforcement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/attorneys-general-announce-tobacco-settlement-proposal|title=Attorneys General announce Tobacco Settlement Proposal {{!}} Washington State|website=www.atg.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>


These payments funded children's health services and programs and a $25 billion trust for health-related issues.<ref name="atg.wa.gov">{{Cite web|url=https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/gregoire-state-net-additional-395-million-tobacco-settlement|title=Gregoire, State, net additional $395 million from tobacco settlement {{!}} Washington State|website=www.atg.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> For her leading role in the litigation, Gregoire won the state of Washington a $4.5 billion share of the settlement over the next 25 years with the payments continuing in perpetuity. Gregoire and Governor ] asked the legislature to reserve portions of the settlement for restitution to the state and to establish a special account to finance a long-term tobacco prevention and control program. The account would be used to pay for anti-tobacco advertising and education, accessible cessation programs, and other activities.<ref name="atg.wa.gov"/>
Republicans continued to dispute election accuracy in a case in the Superior Court for ], one of the most conservative counties in the state. They hoped to have Gregoire's election invalidated in time for a revote in 2006. On ], ], Judge ] , singling out King County's election methods for criticism but saying that the Republicans were unable to prove any fraud or invalidity, yet at the same time certifying 1,678 votes as fraudulent. Judge Bridges also from Rossi's total, as four witnesses who were not eligible to vote testified under oath that they voted for Rossi. This brought the official margin of victory for Gregoire to 133. Later that day, Dino Rossi announced that the "political makeup of the Washington Supreme Court" made it "almost impossible to overturn this ruling" and was therefore "ending this election contest."


In March 1999, Gregoire announced that Washington would receive at least an additional $394.9 million in settlement payments from the major tobacco companies.
==First legislative session==
Gregoire's first legislative session, running 105 days from ], ] to ], ], was widely touted as productive, producing nearly 500 pieces of legislation. This is most likely due to the Democratic majorities in both state houses and the installation of a Democratic governor.


Other portions of the agreement included enforcement of laws against tobacco sales to children, broad-based smoking prevention strategies, smoking cessation programs, full disclosure of tobacco's health effects, and preservation of an individual's right to sue the tobacco companies.<ref name=":0" />
Bills passed in this session signed by Gregoire include:
* election reforms needed after Gregoire's narrow victory uncovered flaws in the voting process
* creation of a billion-dollar life sciences discovery fund
* lifting the ] on Sunday liquor sales
* increasing ] insurance for the poor
* raising taxes for ]s and ]
* requiring new public buildings meet environmental standards for energy efficiency and water conservation (also known as ]s)
* providing cost of living pay raises for teachers
* reinstating the ]
* funding voter ] to reduce class sizes
* adding more seats at Washington state colleges and universities
* requiring health insurers to give equal treatment to mental disorders


== Governor of Washington (2005–2013) ==
===Transportation policy===
] ]]
The session ended with Gregoire brokering new bipartisan transportation legislation. The package included a 9.5-cent-a-gallon gas-tax increase to help repair many roads in Washington, particularly around ] area, such as the ], ], and the ]. This proposal was initially rejected by the House but then passed with a revote the final day of the 2005 session.


===2004 gubernatorial election===
The tax package was met with mixed reviews. While she was praised widely by Democratic and Republican leaders of the House and Senate for her leadership skills regarding passing this deal, several state legislators disagreed with the merits of the tax. Their reasons included the heavy emphasis on funding Seattle area projects and the already high price of gas. An ] to repeal the tax, ], was a part of the November 2005 ballot, but was rejected by the voters.
{{Main|2004 Washington gubernatorial election}}
Gregoire defeated ] and four other minor candidates in the Democratic primary election for the governorship on September 14, 2004. She had come under fire during the primary for her membership in ] because of its nonwhite membership policy in the late 1960s.<ref name=seatimes7>{{cite news|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20040823/guvsorority/gubernatorial-candidate-gregoire-faced-racial-dilemma-in-college|title=Gubernatorial candidate Gregoire faced racial dilemma in college|author=Ralph Thomas|work=The Seattle Times|date=August 23, 2004|access-date=August 7, 2008}}</ref> She clashed with Sims over her position at the sorority, but Sims dropped the issue and dismissed any claims of racism.<ref name=seatimes9>{{cite news|url=http://seattlepi.com/local/187976_governor26.html|title=Gregoire lashes out at Sims over all-white sorority story|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|date=August 26, 2004|access-date=August 7, 2008}}</ref> Sims campaigned on tax reform and the institution of a statewide income tax.<ref name=seatimes11>{{cite news|url=http://seattlepi.com/local/179815_taxes28.html|title=Sims runs in primary on dreaded 'T' word|author=Angela Galloway|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|date=June 29, 2004|access-date=August 7, 2008}}</ref> Gregoire won the primary with over 60% of the vote.<ref name=seatimes12>{{cite news|url=http://seattlepi.com/local/190862_gov15.html|title=Gregoire vs. Rossi for governor|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|author=Angela Galloway|date=September 15, 2004|access-date=August 7, 2008}}</ref>


During the general election against former state senator and real estate agent ], Gregoire proposed a major initiative in life sciences, especially by increasing state funding for embryonic ] research.<ref name=seatimes10>{{cite news|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20041009&slug=stemcell09m|title=Democrats tout stem-cell research|author=Jennifer Sullivan|work=The Seattle Times|date=October 9, 2004|access-date=August 7, 2008}}</ref> In debates, she tried to counter voter unease about the state government by saying she would "blow past the bureaucracy" and bring change herself.<ref name="seatimes-bureaucracy">{{cite news|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20041013/govdebate13m/gregoire-rossi-debate-in-yakima|title=Gregoire, Rossi debate in Yakima|author=Ralph Thomas|work=The Seattle Times|date=October 13, 2004|access-date=August 27, 2008}}</ref> Gregoire won the backing of the legislature within six months after pushing through a number of important measures on car emission standards and unemployment benefits.<ref name="seatimes-bureaucracy2">{{cite news|author=Ralph Thomas|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20050501/gregoire01m/what-governor-gregoire-said-8212-and-did|title=What Governor Gregoire said – and did|date=May 1, 2005|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=August 27, 2008}}</ref>
===Gay civil rights bill===
One notable bill that failed in the 2005 session was HB 1515, the "] ] bill", expanding the scope of protected classes to include ] and ] in cases of ]. The bill passed the state House 61-37 but failed in the Senate by one vote; 24-25. The bill was subsequently passed in her second session, 61-37 in the State House, 25-23 in the State Senate. The bill was signed by Gov. Gregoire on January 31, 2006.


The election was held on November 2, 2004, with the initial count showing Gregoire trailing Rossi by 261 votes. A legally mandated machine recount reduced that lead to only 42 votes, then a hand count requested and funded by the state's Democratic Party gave Gregoire a 10-vote lead. Following a State Supreme Court ruling that allowed several hundred ballots from ] to be included, her lead further increased to 130 votes,<ref name=usatoday>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-12-23-washington-recount_x.htm|title=Democrat wins hand recount in Wash. governor race|work=USA Today|author=Elaine Thompson|agency=Associated Press|date=December 23, 2004|access-date=August 6, 2008}}</ref> but when the vote was certified by the state's ], ], at the end of December, one vote that had been counted in ] past the deadline was disqualified and her lead was reduced to 129 votes.<ref name=seatimes3>{{cite news|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20041230/rossi30m/gregoire-declared-governor-elect-but-rossi-wants-new-vote|title=Gregoire declared governor-elect, but Rossi wants new vote|author=Ralph Thomas|work=The Seattle Times|date=December 30, 2004|access-date=August 6, 2008}}</ref> Washington's Republican leadership then filed suit, claiming that hundreds of votes, including votes by felons,<ref name=seatimes5>{{cite news|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20050129/felons30m/republicans-say-theyve-found-249-more-felons-who-voted|title=Republicans say they've found 249 more felons who voted|author=David Postman|work=The Seattle Times|date=January 29, 2005|access-date=August 6, 2008}}</ref> deceased voters,<ref name=seatimes6>{{cite news|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20050127/vance27m/gop-says-it-found-300-illegal-votes|title=GOP says it found 300 illegal votes|author=David Postman|work=The Seattle Times|date=January 27, 2005|access-date=August 6, 2008}}</ref> and double voters,<ref name=seatimes6/> had been counted, but on June 6, 2005, Judge ] ruled that the Republican Party had not provided enough evidence that the disputed votes were ineligible—or for whom they were cast—to overturn the election.<ref name=wenworld2>{{cite news|url=http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050606/NEWS04/506060333|title=Judge upholds Gregoire's election|author=Sharon Altaras|work=Wenatchee World|date=June 6, 2005|access-date=August 7, 2008}}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
==Future policy agenda==
Speculation on where Gregoire is going to use her political capital in the next two years focuses around
* working with Mayor ] to fix ]'s ], leaning on the city to contribute an estimated $1 billion or more if they choose to replace the bridge with a tunnel.
* forging a plan with Congressman ] to receive federal dollars to clean up ].
* pressuring ] ] ] to stop dumping raw ] from ] into the ].
* reducing dependence on foreign oil and supporting Washington State farmers by investing in ] fuel and biodiesel technology.
* education enhancements with investments to improve early learning, help high school students meet state WASL standards.
* energy cost concerns and providing heating assistance to low-income families.
* reorganizing the state's various ] programs into a single, cabinet level, Department of Early Learning.


On October 28, 2004, the ''Seattle Times'' reported that out-of-state donors were contributing heavily to Gregoire's campaign.<ref name=seatimes2>{{cite news|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20041028/gregoire28m/out-of-state-donors-feed-gregoire-fund|title=Out-of-state donors feed Gregoire fund|author=Ralph Thomas|work=The Seattle Times|date=October 28, 2004|access-date=August 6, 2008}}</ref> Trial lawyers who had worked closely with Gregoire on the 1998 ] gave the ] more than $1,000,000. According to the ''Times'''s analysis, nearly half of Gregoire's 2004 campaign contributions came from out of state.<ref name=seatimes2 />
==Popularity==
(nonpartisan polling firm)
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! width="160px" | Date
! width="100px" | Approval %
! width="130px"| Disapproval %
! width="100px" | Undecided %
|-
|
| 34%
| 58%
| 8%
|-
|
| 41%
| 49%
| 10%
|-
|
| 38%
| 52%
| 9%
|-
|
| 40%
| 51%
| 9%
|-
|
| 45%
| 49%
| 6%
|-
|
| 41%
| 51%
| 8%
|-
|
| 44%
| 49%
| 7%
|-
|
| 47%
| 46%
| 7%
|-
|
| 48%
| 44%
| 4%
|-
|
| 50%
| 44%
| 6%
|}


===2008 gubernatorial election===
*The ] considers this firm a biased source aligned with the Republican Party in order to shape media perceptions.
{{main|2008 Washington gubernatorial election}}
{| class="wikitable"
]
|-
], visits Governor Gregoire in her office in Olympia.]]
! width="160px" | Date
During the ], both ] and ] heavily lobbied Gregoire for her endorsement as a ].<ref name="seatimes-endorsement">{{cite news|author=David Ammons|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews2004171863_webgregobama08.html|title=Gregoire endorses Obama for president|date=February 8, 2008|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=August 21, 2008|agency=Associated Press}}{{dead link|date=November 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
! width="100px" | Approval %
! width="130px"| Disapproval %
! width="100px" | Undecided %
|-
|
| 36%
| 56%
| 8%
|-
|
| 38%
| 54%
| 8%
|-
|
| 36%
| 55%
| 9%
|-
|
| 37%
| 55%
| 8%
|-
|
| 38%
| 54%
| 8%
|-
|
| 39%
| 52%
| 9%
|-
|
| 38%
| 53%
| 9%
|-
|
| 39%
| 51%
| 10%
|}


Gregoire officially endorsed Obama on February 8, 2008, hours before an event at ] in ] where she introduced him before a crowd of 18,000 people.<ref name="seatimes-endorsement" /><ref name="seatimes-keyarena">{{cite news|author=Ralph Thomas|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004171983_webobama08m.html|title=Seattle's KeyArena jammed for Barack Obama|date=February 8, 2008|work=]|access-date=August 21, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006213610/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004171983_webobama08m.html|archive-date=October 6, 2008|df=mdy}}</ref> The ] were held the next day; Obama beat Clinton in every county.<ref name="seatimes-caucuses">{{cite news|author=David Postman|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004174796_caucusmain10m.html|title=Obama beats Clinton 2-1; McCain edges Huckabee|date=February 10, 2008|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=August 21, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619023333/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004174796_caucusmain10m.html|archive-date=June 19, 2008|df=mdy}}</ref>
==External links==

*
Gregoire began her reelection campaign at her late mother's former employer, the Rainbow Café in ], on April 7, 2008.<ref name="ap-bid">{{cite news|author=David Ammons|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004333325_webgregoire07.html|title=Gregoire kicks off re-election bid|date=April 7, 2008|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=August 21, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618012145/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004333325_webgregoire07.html|archive-date=June 18, 2008|agency=Associated Press|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="ap-bid2">{{cite news|author=David Ammons (The Associated Press)|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004333214_apGovernors|title=WA Gov. Gregoire kicks off re-election bid|date=April 7, 2008|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=August 21, 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref name="gov-fsa">{{cite web|url=http://www.governor.wa.gov/speeches/speech-view.asp?SpeechSeq=119|title=Governor Gregoire Addresses the Food Safety Conference|date=April 11, 2008|publisher=Office of the Governor|access-date=August 21, 2008}}</ref> Immediately after her announcement, she began a biodiesel bus tour of the state.<ref name="ap-bid" /> Her opponent in the race, Dino Rossi, had announced his candidacy in October 2007.<ref name="seatimes-rossirace">{{cite news|author=Ralph Thomas|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003974192_webrossi25m.html|title=Rossi announces bid for governor|date=October 25, 2007|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=August 21, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090406013013/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003974192_webrossi25m.html|archive-date=April 6, 2009|df=mdy}}</ref>
*

Gregoire and Rossi fast approached fundraising records early in their campaigns.<ref name="seatimes-fundraising">{{cite news|author=Ralph Thomas|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004343915_govrace12m.html|title=Rossi, Gregoire raising money for governor's race at record clip|date=April 12, 2008|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=August 21, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513193412/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004343915_govrace12m.html|archive-date=May 13, 2008|df=mdy}}</ref> In April, Gregoire hosted a fundraiser with ] at the ] that netted the campaign over $300,000.<ref name="seatimes-richardson">{{cite news|author=Curt Woodward|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004378732_webgregoire28.html|title=Gregoire gets fundraising help from Richardson|date=April 28, 2008|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=August 21, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616065603/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004378732_webgregoire28.html|archive-date=June 16, 2008|agency=Associated Press|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="seapi-richardson">{{cite news|author=Gregory Roberts|url=http://seattlepi.com/local/360994_fundraiser29.html|title=Bill Richardson boosts Chris Gregoire's campaign|date=April 28, 2008|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|access-date=August 26, 2008}}</ref> In July, she held another large fundraiser with ] at the ], with 1,600 attendees raising over $400,000.<ref name="seatimes-obama">{{cite news|author=David Postman|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008058624_obama18m.html|title=Michelle Obama brings change message to Seattle fundraiser|date=July 18, 2008|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=August 26, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080721135058/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008058624_obama18m.html|archive-date=July 21, 2008|author2=Emily Heffter|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="seatimes-obama2">{{cite news|author=Curt Woodward|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008082937_governorsrace31.html|title=Governor's race close again – in money|date=July 31, 2008|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=August 26, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622065234/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008082937_governorsrace31.html|archive-date=June 22, 2011|agency=Associated Press|df=mdy}}</ref>

The '']'' reported that Gregoire gave cost-of-living increases to state employees who hadn't received raises in "many years", {{dubious|date=December 2011}} and funded voter-approved initiatives to raise the pay of schoolteachers, all groups that gave money to her 2004 recount campaign.<ref name="seatimes-donors">{{cite news|author=Ralph Thomas|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008013983_donations24m.html|title=When Gregoire won, so did her donors|date=June 24, 2008|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=August 20, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080824051650/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008013983_donations24m.html|archive-date=August 24, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Gregoire won Washington's first ever ] on August 19, 2008, with 49% of the vote.<ref name="seatimes-primary">{{cite news|author=Ralph Thomas|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008126016_elexmain20m.html|title=Gregoire vs. Rossi: After top-two primary, real rumble begins|date=August 20, 2008|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=August 20, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821074555/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008126016_elexmain20m.html|archive-date=August 21, 2008|df=mdy}}</ref> She advanced to the general election against Rossi.<ref name="seatimes-primary" /><ref name="secstate-primary">{{cite web|url=http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/WEI/Results.aspx?RaceID=13&ElectionID=25&RaceTypeCode=O&JurisdictionTypeID=2|title=August 19, 2008 Top Two Primary|date=August 20, 2008|publisher=Washington Secretary of State's Office|access-date=August 20, 2008}}{{dead link|date=November 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> The general election was expected to be close, but Gregoire benefited from large turnout among Democrats to vote for Obama in the ] and won with 53% of the vote. There was a marked geographical split in the 2008 election: the more populous and ]-leaning ] counties supported Gregoire, while the less populous and more ]-leaning ] counties supported Rossi.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mcgann|first1=Chris|url=http://seattlepi.com/local/386451_governor05.html|title=Gregoire triumphs as close race fails to materialize|date=November 5, 2008|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|access-date=November 5, 2008|last2=Capitol|first2=P-I}}</ref>

=== Reform areas ===

==== Education ====
During her time in office, Gregoire made sweeping changes to Washington's education system in areas such as the state government's responsibility in providing education, college readiness, expansion of early learning programs, as well as introducing new government-accountable educational goals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=584&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

Beginning her work with education months after taking office, Gregoire signed a host of bills in May 2005 to improve the state of education from early learning through college across the state. One such bill, E2SHB 1152 established an Early Learning Council dedicated to providing leadership in strengthening early learning programs and services available to children and their families.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=87&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> As a result of the Early Learning Council's work, Gregoire lobbied for the creation of a Department of Early Learning. On March 28, 2006, Gregoire signed into law a measure she had requested that consolidated Washington's scattered early learning and child-care programs into the Department of Early Learning.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=274&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

Included in this 2005 package of education bills was Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5441. Introduced at Gregoire's request to establish a comprehensive education study steering committee, the legislature passed E2SSB 5441.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2005-06/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/5441-S2.PL.pdf|title=AN ACT Relating to studying early learning, K-12, and higher education; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.}}</ref> It created a 13-member body to evaluate and reimagine Washington's education system for the modern economy. The group, chaired by Gregoire and comprising members representing business, government, philanthropy, the education committee, the legislature, and the public, met consistently for 18 months. It released a report in November 2006. It focused on five basic strategies to reform Washington's education system: (1) investing in early learning so that children start off as lifelong learners; (2) improving math and science teaching so that Washingtonians have a competitive edge; (3) personalizing learning so that every student has the opportunity to succeed; (4) offering college and workforce training for everyone; and (5) holding the system accountable for results.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=388&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

Gregoire announced major education reforms that included developing criteria and standards for teacher evaluation, setting school performance requirements, and expanding teacher certification options. She signed the package into law.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/gregoire-has-plan-to-get-education-reform-money/|title=Gregoire has plan to get education reform money|date=2010-01-14|website=HeraldNet.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

In an ongoing effort to reform higher education in Washington, Gregoire asked the Higher Education Funding Task Force to look at college funding and performance options.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1721&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> On the task force's recommendation, on June 6, 2011, Gregoire signed into law several bills to improve Washington's education system. Additionally, on December 13, Gregoire proposed further education reforms to evaluate teachers and principals and designate six failing schools as “laboratory schools” to help improve student performance. She passed and signed those into law on March 8, 2012.

==== Public health ====
Washington was one of the first states to tackle rising health care and insurance costs. Gregoire proposed major health care reforms including changes in how the state purchased health care, consolidating state health care spending, and streamlining purchasing practices.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1469&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> As part of the reforms, Gregoire implemented a Health Care Cabinet to ensure the state was ready. She announced, “Washington is going to lead the nation in implementing health care reform.” Through the Health Insurance Partnership, Gregoire extended health care coverage to 1,100 small-business employees. She announced legislation to modernize the state's health care and pension system, while keeping health care inflation at 4-5% year. She announced “the promise of reform is a day when no one goes without health care coverage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1619&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

Gregoire pushed SB 5093, Washington State’s Cover All Kids Law, in March 2007. Advancing from this action, in 2009 Gregoire and the state legislature strengthened coverage during the financial crisis by passing HB 2128, the Apple Health For Kids Act.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://childrensalliance.org/sites/default/files/Cover_All_Kids_Summary_2009.pdf|title=Washington's commitment to health coverage for all children}}</ref>

On May 11, 2011, Gregoire signed six bills to transform Washington’s health care system. They included creation of a health care exchange to limit health care inflation to 4% over 10 years, saving citizens $26 billion in health care costs, and legislation consolidating the state’s two largest health care purchasers to make care programs more effective.

On January 13, 2012, Gregoire filed an amicus brief in support of the Affordable Care Act. On March 23 she created one of the nation’s first health benefit exchanges, giving buyers information on health care plans.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1706&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

===== Affordable Care Act =====
Concurrently, as Gregoire made reforms in the state, she led implementation of the Federal ]. The ACA required the formation of a health insurance exchange in each state either by the federal government or the state. With an emphasis on extending health insurance coverage to low-income residents, Gregoire signed ESSB 5445 into law on May 11, 2011, making Washington the fourth state to implement the health insurance exchange provision.

Gregoire also signed ESSB 5122 and ESSB 5371 to conform state law with the ACA by extending insurance coverage to dependents under the age of 26, removing lifetime benefit maximums, and preventing insurance companies from denying coverage to people because of preexisting conditions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1835&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

===== Environment =====
Gregoire said she wanted to clean up Puget Sound by making it more “fishable, swimmable and diggable”. In 2007 she created the Puget Sound Partnership. The agency sets science-based priorities, spurs implementation of priority actions and ensures accountability.

On May 21, 2009, Gregoire issued an Executive Order directing state actions to cut greenhouse gases and battle climate change by increasing transportation and fuel-conservation options and protecting water supplies and vulnerable coastal areas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.greencarcongress.com/2009/05/gregoire-20090524.html|title=Washington Governor Issues Executive Order Directing State Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gases; Consideration of California Low Carbon Fuel Standard and Highway Electrification|website=Green Car Congress|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

On April 29, 2011, Gregoire fulfilled a longstanding goal and signed legislation that transitioned Washington state off of coal power. The announcement was made at the TransAlta coal plant.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1699&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

==== Tribal relations ====
In October 2005, Gregoire sent a letter to the state's Gambling Commission recommending that it renegotiate a compact with the ] it had submitted for approval. The original compact would have allowed the tribe, and any other tribe that signed on to the compact, to have off-reservation gambling facilities, increase the number of ]s allowed to 7,500, operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, remove betting limits for some card players, and give credits to high rollers in exchange for sharing their gambling winnings with state and local governments.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/Spokanes-state-U-S-reach-gambling-deal-1223704.php|title=Spokanes, state, U.S. reach gambling deal|last1=Geranios|first1=Nicholas K.|last2=Press|first2=The Associated|date=2006-12-29|website=seattlepi.com|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> It was opposed by many of the state's lawmakers of both parties and anti-gambling groups that were concerned about the spread of gambling across the state, as well as other Native American tribes. The renegotiated compact, which was signed by the Spokane and 26 other Washington tribes, was signed by Gregoire in early 2007 and eliminated the revenue sharing and off-reservation facilities, but included an increase of allowed slot machines to 4,700 with a limit of 2,000 per location, increased the betting limit of some of its slot machines to $20, and allowed high-stakes gambling on blackjack and poker tables to players who pass financial screening and aren't known problem gamblers. The tribe also agreed to donate 2% of the gross revenue from table games and 1% from gambling devices to charity.<ref name=":1" />

==== LGBT rights ====
A landmark ] bill failed in the 2005 session but passed in the 2006 session. It was primarily responsible for expanding the scope of protected classes to include ] and ] in cases of ]. The bill was originally requested and subsequently signed by Gregoire on January 31, 2006. She also signed a law on April 21, 2007, granting same-sex couples ] rights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://flfamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/The-History-Domestic-Partnerships-Leading-to-_FINAL.pdf|title=History of Domestic Partnerships Leading to Legalization of Same Sex Marriages}}</ref>

Gregoire signed Senate Bill 5688<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1236&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> ensuring state-registered domestic partners have the same rights as married spouses, further extending rights to LGBTQ+ Washingtonians. Opponents gathered signatures to put ] on the ballot in an attempt to repeal the bill. Washington voters approved the measure 53% to 47% in the country's first statewide referendum to extend domestic partnership rights to LGBT citizens.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/voters-approve-referendum-71/|title=Voters approve Referendum 71|date=2009-11-05|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

On January 4, 2012, Gregoire announced her support for ] and pledged to sign a marriage bill if it were passed by the legislature. The bill was passed on February 8, 2012. Gregoire signed the bill on February 13. Opponents of the bill collected the necessary signatures to place it ] on the November ballot, where it was approved by 53.7% of the voters. The law took effect December 6.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-02-13/washington-state-gay-marriage-law/53079236/1|title=Washington governor signs gay marriage bill into law|website=USATODAY.COM|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

==== Transportation ====
In March 2006, Gregoire's requested bill, SB 6508, was signed into law. The law directly affected transportation fuels by requiring fuel suppliers to ensure that 2% of the diesel and 2% of the gasoline they provide for sale is biodiesel and ethanol as of December 2008. The measure was the nation's first requirement for alternative fuels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=276&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

In 2009, Gregoire led public and political support to build two of the nation's largest infrastructure projects, replacement of the 520 floating bridge and a plan to replace the aging and earthquake vulnerable State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct with a deep bore tunnel. At the time, the tunnel was the world's largest deep bore tunnel project.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tdn.com/news/gregoire-announces-tunnel-option-for-alaskan-way-viaduct/article_0c48786d-d17c-53c0-ba58-5eb285f84e5d.html|title=Gregoire announces tunnel option for Alaskan Way viaduct|author=Tim Klass|agency=Associated Press|website=Longview Daily News|date=January 13, 2009 |language=en|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> The 520 floating bridge is the world's longest floating bridge and opened in 2016. Seattle's new waterfront tunnel opened in 2019, making way for a revitalized new waterfront.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/new-520-bridge-to-open-in-april-walkers-bikes-will-get-to-try-it-first/|title=New 520 bridge to open in April; walkers, bicyclists get to try it first|date=2016-01-12|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

Bridging transportation and the environment in 2010, Gregoire announced the nation's first “electric highway,” an initial network of electric vehicle recharging stations along the I-5 corridor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/02/washington-plans-its-own-electric-highway/|title=Washington Plans Its Own Electric Highway|last=Negroni|first=Christine|date=2010-07-02|website=Wheels Blog|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> Additionally, she used more than $13 million in Recovery Act grants to help train Washington workers for “green-collar” jobs in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries.

Along with Oregon Governor Kitzhaber, Gregoire announced support for the ] to replace the aging I-5 bridge connecting Washington and Oregon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2011/04/oregon_governor_kitzhaber_wash_1.html|title=Kitzhaber, Gregoire agree on Columbia River Crossing design: a simple composite deck truss|last=Oregonian/OregonLive|first=Jeff Manning {{!}} The|date=2011-04-26|website=oregonlive|language=en|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

Gregoire signed the 2011–2013 transportation budget putting 30,000 people to work and investing $5.6 billion into more than 800 transportation construction projects.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1707&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

==== Medical marijuana ====
Together with Governor Lincoln Chaffee (I-RI), on November 30, 2011, Gregoire filed a petition with the ] (DEA) asking to reschedule marijuana as a Schedule 2 drug, allowing its use for treatment as prescribed by doctors and filled by pharmacists.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Cooper|first=Michael|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/01/us/federal-marijuana-classification-should-change-gregoire-and-chafee-say.html|title=2 Governors Asking U.S. to Ease Rules on Marijuana to Allow for Its Medical Use|date=2011-11-30|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-03-10|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==== Life Sciences Discovery Fund ====
On May 12, 2005, Gregoire signed a bill creating the Life Sciences Discovery Fund, which gives grants for research in health and agriculture. With funding from the tobacco settlement, which Gregoire secured, the state was able to combine funds with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Microsoft, the Paul G. Allen Family foundation and others to impact research on cures for debilitating diseases and improvement of the quality and yield of agricultural products.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=82&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

==== Aerospace ====
In 2009 Gregoire set out to increase Washington's aerospace focus. By singling out Boeing and looking at working with local businesses, schools, and unions, Gregoire formed the Aerospace Council, which was tasked with developing aerospace-skills training, research and development.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/future-aerospace-work-depends-on-states-competitiveness-gregoire-says/|title=Future aerospace work depends on state's competitiveness, Gregoire says|date=2009-04-10|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

As home to global aerospace, with more than 84,000 aerospace employees and more than 650 aerospace supply companies, Gregoire commended Boeing on the completion and delivery of its first 787 Dreamliner in Seattle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1760&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

=== Government reforms ===
On June 15, 2011, Gregoire signed the 2011–2013 budget taking into account the ideas presented by the public and the Transforming Washington's Budget Committee. Changes included a reform to the pension system saving $368 million in the following two years and setting up a user-pay system for state parks and other services.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1731&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

On September 30, 2011, Gregoire completed the most significant transformation of state government in 20 years, merging five agencies into three, saving taxpayers $18.3 million. As a further $2 billion deficit loomed, Gregoire launched a further package of reforms to continue to cut costs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1776&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> On December 3, 2011, Gregoire announced that the government reform measures saved businesses more than $450 million in unemployment taxes and workers’ compensation rates.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorGregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1810&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

==== Great Recession ====
] (left) and U.S. Senator from Illinois ] (right) at a rally for Obama's presidential campaign at KeyArena on February 8, 2008.]]
].]]
] announce the ] plan in 2011.]]
As the Great Recession began to impact states across the U.S. Gregoire announced the "Washington Jobs Now" package to provide economic stimulus and job creation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spokesman.com/blogs/olympia/2009/jan/15/gregoire-economic-stimulus-plan-details/|title=Gregoire economic stimulus plan: the details: {{!}} The Spokesman-Review|website=www.spokesman.com|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> As the economic slowdown put Washingtonians out of work, she increased unemployment benefits and supported the Federal Recovery Act efforts by identifying shovel-ready projects to put people to work and make investments in communities and infrastructure. As signs of the Great Recession worsened, Gregoire announced additional measures to reform state government. As part of her 21st Century Government Reform Initiative she set out to streamline government, eliminate 17 boards and commissions, and reduce another 78.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/governorgregoire/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1390&newsType=1|title=Office of the Governor|last=Governor|first=Office of the|website=www.digitalarchives.wa.gov|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> She also introduced legislation to reduce or eliminate a third of 64 small Cabinet agencies through mergers or realignments. Additionally, she signed a budget anticipating a potential $9 billion shortfall and reduced spending.

In January 2010 Gregoire released a 10-point plan to accelerate recovery and create as many as 40,000 jobs over the next three years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/wash-gov-gregoire-wants-to-create-40000-jobs/|title=Wash. Gov. Gregoire wants to create 40,000 jobs|date=2010-01-12|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> As the most trade dependent state in the nation, and as a way to more quickly emerge from the Great Recession, Gregoire also announced the Washington Export Initiative to expand the state's export opportunities and create jobs. As the Great Recession deepened, Gregoire announced plans to cut costs and streamline government by reducing state agencies from 21 to nine, saving $30 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/gregoire-proposes-to-consolidate-state-agencies/|title=Gregoire proposes to consolidate state agencies|date=2010-12-14|website=HeraldNet.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> She also reached an agreement with state unions to reduce state employees’ pay by 3%.

To continue to help spur economic recovery, Gregoire emphasized small businesses as job creators and eased administrative burdens for them and local governments by Executive Order.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattlebusinessmag.com/blog/governor-gregoire-moves-support-critical-small-business-sector|title=Governor Gregoire Moves to Support Critical Small Business Sector|date=2010-10-26|website=Seattle Business Magazine|language=en|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> As part of a significant and unprecedented overhaul of Workers’ Compensation reforms, she passed a bill to save $200 million over four years and increase outcomes for workers and employers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2011/03/15/190256.htm|title=Washington Governor Signs Bill to Improve Workers' Comp System|date=2011-03-15|website=Insurance Journal|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> To emphasize Washington's role in global trade, Gregoire led a delegation of automotive, life-science, aerospace and education leaders to Europe on her sixth trade mission. She also led a trade mission to China and Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=141371238|title=Gregoire Returns To China For Trade Mission|website=NPR.org|language=en|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

==Post-gubernatorial career==
Gregoire's term ended in January 2013 and her official portrait was painted by artist ].

Gregoire was reportedly considered by the ] for a position in either the ] or the ], but was not chosen.<ref name="Conelly">{{cite news|url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2012/11/28/gregoire-as-interior-secretary-in-obamas-second-term/|title=Gregoire as interior secretary in Obama's second term?|last=Conelly|first=Joel|date=November 28, 2012|newspaper=SeattlePI}}</ref><ref name="Varner">{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/opinion/2019793003_varnercolumngregoirexml.html|title=Gov. Chris Gregoire's legacy of public service|last=Varner|first=Lynne|date=November 29, 2012|newspaper=Seattle Times}}</ref>
After leaving office, Gregoire became a public speaker, notably speaking with former ] governor ] at the Emerging Local Government Leaders in October 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last=Esteve|first=Harry|title=Former Govs. Ted Kulongoski, Christine Gregoire to speak at Portland conference|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/07/former_govs_ted_kulongoski_chr.html|newspaper=Oregon Live|date=July 29, 2013}}</ref>
On July 1, Gregoire began a term as a board member for the ]. Larry Corey, an M.D. and the director of the Hutchinson Center commented, "As governor, Chris Gregoire was a visionary leader and advocate of biomedical research. Under her watch she proposed a major initiative in the life sciences. Gregoire will be instrumental in helping to shine a spotlight on the lifesaving work of the Hutchinson Center and how it contributes to the health and well-being of people throughout the state and the world."<ref>{{cite news|title=Former Gov. Chris Gregoire Among Four Newly Appointed Board Members Of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center |url=http://www.internationalsupermarketnews.com/news/13117 |newspaper=Super Market News |date=July 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113184736/http://www.internationalsupermarketnews.com/news/13117 |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref>

From August to December 2014, Gregoire took a position as a Fall Fellow at the ] at the ] in ], where she spent time engaging with students at the school about leadership in various positions of government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iop.harvard.edu/christine-gregoire|title=Christine Gregoire|work=The Institute of Politics at Harvard University|access-date=August 18, 2015}}</ref>

=== Challenge Seattle ===
After taking time away from public life following her governorship, Gregoire coordinated with several business and community leaders to found Challenge Seattle, an alliance of CEOs from 18 of the region's largest employers. Launched in 2015, Challenge Seattle, with Gregoire as its CEO, focuses on improving the Cascadia Innovation Corridor, education, middle-income housing affordability, and transportation projects.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.challengeseattle.com/our-work|title=Our Work|website=Challenge Seattle|language=en|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Gregoire's first child, Courtney, was born in Spokane in 1979. In 2013, Courtney was appointed to the ]. Courtney has 2 children, Audrey and Alexa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020491404_portxml.html |title=Gregoire's daughter named to Port commission |date=March 5, 2013 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111193106/http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020491404_portxml.html |archive-date=November 11, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref> Her second daughter, Michelle, was born in 1984.<ref name=govbio>{{cite web|url=http://www.governor.wa.gov/about|title=About Governor Gregoire|publisher=]|year=2006|access-date=June 8, 2006|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209014100/https://www.governor.wa.gov/about|url-status=dead}}</ref> When not in Olympia, Gregoire lives in nearby ] with her husband, Michael.

In 2003, she was diagnosed with ] in an early stage after a routine check-up and a ]. She had surgery and recovered. She mentions her fight with cancer in speeches about health care.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/center-news/2016/07/former-governor-christine-gregoire-fred-hutch-board-chair.html|title=Former Wash. governor Christine Gregoire becomes Fred Hutch board chair|newspaper=Fred Hutch|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-03}}</ref>

==Awards==
In 2007, Gregoire was named one of ''Governing'' magazines “Public Officials of the Year”<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.governing.com/poy/2007-Public-Officials-of-the-Year.html|title=2007 Public Officials of the Year|website=www.governing.com|date=November 10, 2017|language=en|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

In 2009, Gregoire received a sort of tongue-in-cheek Fuse "Fizzle" Award. The awards program is aimed at promoting leadership and accountability in the Washington State Legislature.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100428230110/http://fusewashington.org/alerts/418/sizzle2009-fuse-awards%23 |date=April 28, 2010 }}</ref>

In 1995, Gregoire received the ] of ] from Gonzaga University.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/GovernorElectGregoire/bio/bio.htm |title=About Chris |date=2004 |website=Governor-Elect Christine Gregoire |publisher=Access Washington |location=Olympia, WA |access-date=August 13, 2020}}</ref> In 2012, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws after delivering the commencement speech at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.wsu.edu/2012/05/05/grads-urged-to-give-back-make-a-difference/|title=Grads urged to 'give back, make a difference' - WSU News - Washington State University|date=May 5, 2012|website=wsu.edu}}</ref> In 2015, she received an honorary Doctor of Laws from the ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Office of Ceremonies |date=June 13, 2015 |title=Christine Gregoire, Honorary Doctor of Laws |url=https://www.washington.edu/ceremony/2015/06/13/christine-gregoire/ |work=Washington.edu |publisher=University of Washington |location=Seattle, WA |access-date=August 13, 2020}}</ref>

==Electoral history==
{{Election box begin|title=Washington Attorney General Election 1992<ref name="secstate-1992">{{cite news|url=http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/results_report.aspx?e=&c=gregoire&c2=&t=&t2=2&p=&p2=&y=1992 |title=Election Search Results|work=Washington Secretary of State |date=October 3, 2008|access-date=October 3, 2008}}</ref>}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| |party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Christine Gregoire
|votes = 1,190,784
|percentage = 54.88
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| |party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = ]
|votes = 946,946
|percentage = 43.64
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| |party = Populist Party (United States, 1984)
|candidate = Homer L. Brand
|votes = 32,124
|percentage = 1.48
|change =}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=Washington Attorney General Election 1996<ref name="secstate-2000">{{cite news|url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/results_report.aspx?e=&c=&c2=&t=7&t2=&p=&p2=&y=|title=Election Search Results|work=Washington Secretary of State|access-date=May 23, 2019}}</ref>}}
{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Christine Gregoire|votes=1,280,955|percentage=60.04|change=}}
{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=]|votes=756,639|percentage=35.46|change=}}
{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Libertarian Party (US)|candidate=Richard Shepard|votes=58,673|percentage=2.75|change=}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=Washington Attorney General Election 2000<ref name="secstate-2000">{{cite news|url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/results_report.aspx?e=&c=&c2=&t=7&t2=&p=&p2=&y=|title=Election Search Results|work=Washington Secretary of State|access-date=May 23, 2019}}</ref>}}
{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Christine Gregoire|votes=1,292,887|percentage=55.98|change=}}
{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=]|votes=883,002|percentage=38.23|change=}}
{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Libertarian Party (US)|candidate=Richard Shepard|votes=90,941|percentage=3.94|change=}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |title=Washington Gubernatorial Election 2004}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| |party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Christine Gregoire
|votes = 1,373,361
|percentage = 48.8730
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| |party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = ]
|votes = 1,373,228
|percentage = 48.8683
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| |party = Libertarian Party (US)
|candidate = Ruth Bennett
|votes = 63,465
|percentage = 2.2585
|change =
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=Washington Gubernatorial Election 2008}}
{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Christine Gregoire|votes=1,598,738|percentage=53.24|change=+4.34}}
{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=]|votes=1,404,124|percentage=46.76|change=-2.11}}
{{Election box end}}

==See also==
*]
*]


==References== ==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
*
* by Joel Connelly, ''Seattle Post-Intelligencer'', December 9, 2005 retrieved December 9, 2005.
*.


==External links==
{{start box}}
{{Commons}}
{{succession box | before = ] | title = ] | years =1993&ndash;2005 | after = ]}}
*{{C-SPAN|44493}}
{{incumbent succession box | before = ] | title = ] | start=2005| }}
{{end box}}


{{WAGovernors}} {{s-start}}
{{s-legal}}
{{Template:Current U.S. governors}}
{{s-bef|before=]}}
{{s-ttl|title=]|years=1993–2005}}
{{s-aft|after=]}}
|-
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=]}}
{{s-ttl|title=] nominee for ]|years=], ]}}
{{s-aft|after=]}}
|-
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=]}}
{{s-ttl|title=]|years=2005–2013}}
{{s-aft|after=]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of ]|years=2010–2011}}
{{s-aft|after=]}}
|-
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=]|as=Former US Senator}}
{{s-ttl|title=]|years=Within Washington}}
{{s-aft|after=]|as=Former Governor}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=]|as=Former Governor}}
{{s-ttl|title=]|years=Outside Washington}}
{{s-aft|after=]|as=Former Governor}}
{{s-end}}


{{Governors of Washington}}
]
{{National Governors Association chairs}}
]
{{Authority control}}
]
]
]
]
]
]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Gregoire, Christine}}
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 05:58, 21 December 2024

Governor of Washington from 2005 to 2013

Christine Gregoire
Official portrait, 2006
22nd Governor of Washington
In office
January 12, 2005 – January 16, 2013
LieutenantBrad Owen
Preceded byGary Locke
Succeeded byJay Inslee
Chair of the National Governors Association
In office
November 15, 2010 – July 17, 2011
Preceded byJoe Manchin
Succeeded byDave Heineman
16th Attorney General of Washington
In office
January 13, 1993 – January 12, 2005
GovernorMike Lowry
Gary Locke
Preceded byKen Eikenberry
Succeeded byRob McKenna
Director of the Washington State Department of Ecology
In office
January 1, 1988 – January 6, 1992
GovernorBooth Gardner
Succeeded byChuck Clarke
Personal details
BornChristine O'Grady
(1947-03-24) March 24, 1947 (age 77)
Adrian, Michigan, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse Mike Gregoire ​(m. 1974)
Children2
EducationUniversity of Washington (BA)
Gonzaga University (JD)

Christine Gregoire (/ˈɡrɛɡwɑːr/; née O'Grady; born March 24, 1947) is an American politician who served as the 22nd governor of Washington from 2005 to 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, she defeated Republican candidate Dino Rossi in 2004, and again in 2008. She is the state’s second female governor, and the state’s first female Attorney General. Gregoire chaired the National Governors Association for the 2010–2011 term. She also served on the Governors' Council of the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C. Since the death of Daniel Evans in 2024, Gregoire is the oldest living former governor of Washington.

Early life, education, and legal career

Gregoire was born in Adrian, Michigan but was raised in Auburn, Washington, by her mother, Sybil Grace Jacobs (née Palmer), who worked as a short-order cook. After graduating from Auburn Senior High School, she attended the University of Washington in Seattle, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts in speech and sociology. At UW, she became a member of the Sigma Iota chapter of the Kappa Delta sorority. She then attended Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, receiving her Juris Doctor in 1977.

Gregoire went to work as an assistant attorney general in the office of State Attorney General Slade Gorton, a Republican. As an assistant attorney general, Gregoire concentrated on child-abuse cases, coordinating with social workers to get children removed from abusive family situations and placed with relatives or foster homes, and was later appointed as the first female Deputy Attorney General. In 1988, at the end of his first term as governor of Washington, Booth Gardner appointed Gregoire director of the Washington Department of Ecology. During her tenure, Gregoire worked with Gardner to reach an agreement with the federal government to clean up nuclear waste at the Hanford nuclear site.

Director of the Department of Ecology

Gregoire served four years as director before running for attorney general in 1992. During her tenure, she oversaw the creation of the Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force. Following an oil spill off the coast of Washington and British Columbia involving the barge Nestucca, Gregoire coordinated with the Canadian government to form a task force to handle concerns West Coast citizens had surrounding oil transportation.

Hanford Cleanup

While at the Department of Ecology, Gregoire worked with Gardner and representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy to coordinate efforts on the Hanford Site cleanup. Known by many names, including the Hanford Project, Hanford Works, Hanford Engineer Works, and Hanford Nuclear Reservation, the nuclear facility along the Columbia River in Benton County produced plutonium. The site, established in 1943 to provide support for the Manhattan Project, operated from World War II through the Cold War. Decades of production of plutonium resulted in millions of gallons of high-level radioactive waste.

In 1989, the Washington State Department of Ecology along with the EPA and the US Department of Energy (DOE) entered into the Tri-Party Agreement, which sets targets, or milestones, for cleanup.

Centennial Accord

Following the contentious US v Washington case related to Native American fishing rights, commonly known as the “Boldt Decision,” Gardner undertook to build more lasting, friendly relationships with Washington's Native American tribes. The Accord served to bring parties to the table to negotiate their shared interests. Gregoire played a principal role in helping reach agreements about the natural resource distribution between the tribes and the state.

Attorney General of Washington

Gregoire was elected attorney general in 1992 by 11 percentage points over her opponent, Norm Maleng, an attorney who served and was reelected seven times as King County prosecutor. She was Washington's first and only female attorney general. Gregoire was reelected in 1996 and 2000, both times over Richard Pope, by about 25 and 18 percentage points respectively.

As attorney general, Gregoire worked on children's issues, helped reform the juvenile system, passed a new ethics law for state government, strengthened rights for victims of identity theft, and worked to find alternatives to litigation in resolving legal disputes.

Tobacco master settlement agreement

During Gregoire's second term as attorney general, the tobacco industry was under fire for alleged fraudulent marketing, negligent advertising, and violation of several state consumer protection statutes. Multiple private suits stemming from a 1950s study in the British Medical Journal linked smoking to lung cancer and heart disease. Attorneys General on June 20, 1997, led by Gregoire negotiated a settlement that required tobacco companies to pay more than $206 billion over 25 years in reimbursements to the states for tax dollars spent to treat Medicaid patients for smoking-related illnesses. The companies also agreed to pay $50 million to national attorneys general for enforcement.

These payments funded children's health services and programs and a $25 billion trust for health-related issues. For her leading role in the litigation, Gregoire won the state of Washington a $4.5 billion share of the settlement over the next 25 years with the payments continuing in perpetuity. Gregoire and Governor Gary Locke asked the legislature to reserve portions of the settlement for restitution to the state and to establish a special account to finance a long-term tobacco prevention and control program. The account would be used to pay for anti-tobacco advertising and education, accessible cessation programs, and other activities.

In March 1999, Gregoire announced that Washington would receive at least an additional $394.9 million in settlement payments from the major tobacco companies.

Other portions of the agreement included enforcement of laws against tobacco sales to children, broad-based smoking prevention strategies, smoking cessation programs, full disclosure of tobacco's health effects, and preservation of an individual's right to sue the tobacco companies.

Governor of Washington (2005–2013)

Official portrait of Gregoire, painted by Michele Rushworth

2004 gubernatorial election

Main article: 2004 Washington gubernatorial election

Gregoire defeated Ron Sims and four other minor candidates in the Democratic primary election for the governorship on September 14, 2004. She had come under fire during the primary for her membership in Kappa Delta because of its nonwhite membership policy in the late 1960s. She clashed with Sims over her position at the sorority, but Sims dropped the issue and dismissed any claims of racism. Sims campaigned on tax reform and the institution of a statewide income tax. Gregoire won the primary with over 60% of the vote.

During the general election against former state senator and real estate agent Dino Rossi, Gregoire proposed a major initiative in life sciences, especially by increasing state funding for embryonic stem cell research. In debates, she tried to counter voter unease about the state government by saying she would "blow past the bureaucracy" and bring change herself. Gregoire won the backing of the legislature within six months after pushing through a number of important measures on car emission standards and unemployment benefits.

The election was held on November 2, 2004, with the initial count showing Gregoire trailing Rossi by 261 votes. A legally mandated machine recount reduced that lead to only 42 votes, then a hand count requested and funded by the state's Democratic Party gave Gregoire a 10-vote lead. Following a State Supreme Court ruling that allowed several hundred ballots from King County to be included, her lead further increased to 130 votes, but when the vote was certified by the state's Secretary of State, Sam Reed, at the end of December, one vote that had been counted in Thurston County past the deadline was disqualified and her lead was reduced to 129 votes. Washington's Republican leadership then filed suit, claiming that hundreds of votes, including votes by felons, deceased voters, and double voters, had been counted, but on June 6, 2005, Judge John E. Bridges ruled that the Republican Party had not provided enough evidence that the disputed votes were ineligible—or for whom they were cast—to overturn the election.

On October 28, 2004, the Seattle Times reported that out-of-state donors were contributing heavily to Gregoire's campaign. Trial lawyers who had worked closely with Gregoire on the 1998 tobacco settlement gave the Democratic Governors Association more than $1,000,000. According to the Times's analysis, nearly half of Gregoire's 2004 campaign contributions came from out of state.

2008 gubernatorial election

Main article: 2008 Washington gubernatorial election
Gregoire at a campaign stop in August 2008
Sgt. Leroy Petry, visits Governor Gregoire in her office in Olympia.

During the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries, both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton heavily lobbied Gregoire for her endorsement as a superdelegate.

Gregoire officially endorsed Obama on February 8, 2008, hours before an event at KeyArena in Seattle where she introduced him before a crowd of 18,000 people. The Washington caucuses were held the next day; Obama beat Clinton in every county.

Gregoire began her reelection campaign at her late mother's former employer, the Rainbow Café in Auburn, Washington, on April 7, 2008. Immediately after her announcement, she began a biodiesel bus tour of the state. Her opponent in the race, Dino Rossi, had announced his candidacy in October 2007.

Gregoire and Rossi fast approached fundraising records early in their campaigns. In April, Gregoire hosted a fundraiser with Bill Richardson at the Seattle Westin that netted the campaign over $300,000. In July, she held another large fundraiser with Michelle Obama at the WaMu Theater, with 1,600 attendees raising over $400,000.

The Seattle Times reported that Gregoire gave cost-of-living increases to state employees who hadn't received raises in "many years", and funded voter-approved initiatives to raise the pay of schoolteachers, all groups that gave money to her 2004 recount campaign.

Gregoire won Washington's first ever top two primary on August 19, 2008, with 49% of the vote. She advanced to the general election against Rossi. The general election was expected to be close, but Gregoire benefited from large turnout among Democrats to vote for Obama in the concurrent presidential election and won with 53% of the vote. There was a marked geographical split in the 2008 election: the more populous and Democratic-leaning Western Washington counties supported Gregoire, while the less populous and more Republican-leaning Eastern Washington counties supported Rossi.

Reform areas

Education

During her time in office, Gregoire made sweeping changes to Washington's education system in areas such as the state government's responsibility in providing education, college readiness, expansion of early learning programs, as well as introducing new government-accountable educational goals.

Beginning her work with education months after taking office, Gregoire signed a host of bills in May 2005 to improve the state of education from early learning through college across the state. One such bill, E2SHB 1152 established an Early Learning Council dedicated to providing leadership in strengthening early learning programs and services available to children and their families. As a result of the Early Learning Council's work, Gregoire lobbied for the creation of a Department of Early Learning. On March 28, 2006, Gregoire signed into law a measure she had requested that consolidated Washington's scattered early learning and child-care programs into the Department of Early Learning.

Included in this 2005 package of education bills was Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5441. Introduced at Gregoire's request to establish a comprehensive education study steering committee, the legislature passed E2SSB 5441. It created a 13-member body to evaluate and reimagine Washington's education system for the modern economy. The group, chaired by Gregoire and comprising members representing business, government, philanthropy, the education committee, the legislature, and the public, met consistently for 18 months. It released a report in November 2006. It focused on five basic strategies to reform Washington's education system: (1) investing in early learning so that children start off as lifelong learners; (2) improving math and science teaching so that Washingtonians have a competitive edge; (3) personalizing learning so that every student has the opportunity to succeed; (4) offering college and workforce training for everyone; and (5) holding the system accountable for results.

Gregoire announced major education reforms that included developing criteria and standards for teacher evaluation, setting school performance requirements, and expanding teacher certification options. She signed the package into law.

In an ongoing effort to reform higher education in Washington, Gregoire asked the Higher Education Funding Task Force to look at college funding and performance options. On the task force's recommendation, on June 6, 2011, Gregoire signed into law several bills to improve Washington's education system. Additionally, on December 13, Gregoire proposed further education reforms to evaluate teachers and principals and designate six failing schools as “laboratory schools” to help improve student performance. She passed and signed those into law on March 8, 2012.

Public health

Washington was one of the first states to tackle rising health care and insurance costs. Gregoire proposed major health care reforms including changes in how the state purchased health care, consolidating state health care spending, and streamlining purchasing practices. As part of the reforms, Gregoire implemented a Health Care Cabinet to ensure the state was ready. She announced, “Washington is going to lead the nation in implementing health care reform.” Through the Health Insurance Partnership, Gregoire extended health care coverage to 1,100 small-business employees. She announced legislation to modernize the state's health care and pension system, while keeping health care inflation at 4-5% year. She announced “the promise of reform is a day when no one goes without health care coverage.

Gregoire pushed SB 5093, Washington State’s Cover All Kids Law, in March 2007. Advancing from this action, in 2009 Gregoire and the state legislature strengthened coverage during the financial crisis by passing HB 2128, the Apple Health For Kids Act.

On May 11, 2011, Gregoire signed six bills to transform Washington’s health care system. They included creation of a health care exchange to limit health care inflation to 4% over 10 years, saving citizens $26 billion in health care costs, and legislation consolidating the state’s two largest health care purchasers to make care programs more effective.

On January 13, 2012, Gregoire filed an amicus brief in support of the Affordable Care Act. On March 23 she created one of the nation’s first health benefit exchanges, giving buyers information on health care plans.

Affordable Care Act

Concurrently, as Gregoire made reforms in the state, she led implementation of the Federal Affordable Care Act. The ACA required the formation of a health insurance exchange in each state either by the federal government or the state. With an emphasis on extending health insurance coverage to low-income residents, Gregoire signed ESSB 5445 into law on May 11, 2011, making Washington the fourth state to implement the health insurance exchange provision.

Gregoire also signed ESSB 5122 and ESSB 5371 to conform state law with the ACA by extending insurance coverage to dependents under the age of 26, removing lifetime benefit maximums, and preventing insurance companies from denying coverage to people because of preexisting conditions.

Environment

Gregoire said she wanted to clean up Puget Sound by making it more “fishable, swimmable and diggable”. In 2007 she created the Puget Sound Partnership. The agency sets science-based priorities, spurs implementation of priority actions and ensures accountability.

On May 21, 2009, Gregoire issued an Executive Order directing state actions to cut greenhouse gases and battle climate change by increasing transportation and fuel-conservation options and protecting water supplies and vulnerable coastal areas.

On April 29, 2011, Gregoire fulfilled a longstanding goal and signed legislation that transitioned Washington state off of coal power. The announcement was made at the TransAlta coal plant.

Tribal relations

In October 2005, Gregoire sent a letter to the state's Gambling Commission recommending that it renegotiate a compact with the Spokane Native American tribe it had submitted for approval. The original compact would have allowed the tribe, and any other tribe that signed on to the compact, to have off-reservation gambling facilities, increase the number of slot machines allowed to 7,500, operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, remove betting limits for some card players, and give credits to high rollers in exchange for sharing their gambling winnings with state and local governments. It was opposed by many of the state's lawmakers of both parties and anti-gambling groups that were concerned about the spread of gambling across the state, as well as other Native American tribes. The renegotiated compact, which was signed by the Spokane and 26 other Washington tribes, was signed by Gregoire in early 2007 and eliminated the revenue sharing and off-reservation facilities, but included an increase of allowed slot machines to 4,700 with a limit of 2,000 per location, increased the betting limit of some of its slot machines to $20, and allowed high-stakes gambling on blackjack and poker tables to players who pass financial screening and aren't known problem gamblers. The tribe also agreed to donate 2% of the gross revenue from table games and 1% from gambling devices to charity.

LGBT rights

A landmark gay civil rights bill failed in the 2005 session but passed in the 2006 session. It was primarily responsible for expanding the scope of protected classes to include sexual orientation and gender identity in cases of discrimination. The bill was originally requested and subsequently signed by Gregoire on January 31, 2006. She also signed a law on April 21, 2007, granting same-sex couples domestic partnership rights.

Gregoire signed Senate Bill 5688 ensuring state-registered domestic partners have the same rights as married spouses, further extending rights to LGBTQ+ Washingtonians. Opponents gathered signatures to put 2009 Washington Referendum 71 on the ballot in an attempt to repeal the bill. Washington voters approved the measure 53% to 47% in the country's first statewide referendum to extend domestic partnership rights to LGBT citizens.

On January 4, 2012, Gregoire announced her support for same-sex marriage and pledged to sign a marriage bill if it were passed by the legislature. The bill was passed on February 8, 2012. Gregoire signed the bill on February 13. Opponents of the bill collected the necessary signatures to place it Referendum 74 on the November ballot, where it was approved by 53.7% of the voters. The law took effect December 6.

Transportation

In March 2006, Gregoire's requested bill, SB 6508, was signed into law. The law directly affected transportation fuels by requiring fuel suppliers to ensure that 2% of the diesel and 2% of the gasoline they provide for sale is biodiesel and ethanol as of December 2008. The measure was the nation's first requirement for alternative fuels.

In 2009, Gregoire led public and political support to build two of the nation's largest infrastructure projects, replacement of the 520 floating bridge and a plan to replace the aging and earthquake vulnerable State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct with a deep bore tunnel. At the time, the tunnel was the world's largest deep bore tunnel project. The 520 floating bridge is the world's longest floating bridge and opened in 2016. Seattle's new waterfront tunnel opened in 2019, making way for a revitalized new waterfront.

Bridging transportation and the environment in 2010, Gregoire announced the nation's first “electric highway,” an initial network of electric vehicle recharging stations along the I-5 corridor. Additionally, she used more than $13 million in Recovery Act grants to help train Washington workers for “green-collar” jobs in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries.

Along with Oregon Governor Kitzhaber, Gregoire announced support for the Columbia River Crossing to replace the aging I-5 bridge connecting Washington and Oregon.

Gregoire signed the 2011–2013 transportation budget putting 30,000 people to work and investing $5.6 billion into more than 800 transportation construction projects.

Medical marijuana

Together with Governor Lincoln Chaffee (I-RI), on November 30, 2011, Gregoire filed a petition with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) asking to reschedule marijuana as a Schedule 2 drug, allowing its use for treatment as prescribed by doctors and filled by pharmacists.

Life Sciences Discovery Fund

On May 12, 2005, Gregoire signed a bill creating the Life Sciences Discovery Fund, which gives grants for research in health and agriculture. With funding from the tobacco settlement, which Gregoire secured, the state was able to combine funds with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Microsoft, the Paul G. Allen Family foundation and others to impact research on cures for debilitating diseases and improvement of the quality and yield of agricultural products.

Aerospace

In 2009 Gregoire set out to increase Washington's aerospace focus. By singling out Boeing and looking at working with local businesses, schools, and unions, Gregoire formed the Aerospace Council, which was tasked with developing aerospace-skills training, research and development.

As home to global aerospace, with more than 84,000 aerospace employees and more than 650 aerospace supply companies, Gregoire commended Boeing on the completion and delivery of its first 787 Dreamliner in Seattle.

Government reforms

On June 15, 2011, Gregoire signed the 2011–2013 budget taking into account the ideas presented by the public and the Transforming Washington's Budget Committee. Changes included a reform to the pension system saving $368 million in the following two years and setting up a user-pay system for state parks and other services.

On September 30, 2011, Gregoire completed the most significant transformation of state government in 20 years, merging five agencies into three, saving taxpayers $18.3 million. As a further $2 billion deficit loomed, Gregoire launched a further package of reforms to continue to cut costs. On December 3, 2011, Gregoire announced that the government reform measures saved businesses more than $450 million in unemployment taxes and workers’ compensation rates.

Great Recession

Gregoire (center), stands with Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels (left) and U.S. Senator from Illinois Barack Obama (right) at a rally for Obama's presidential campaign at KeyArena on February 8, 2008.
Gregoire in 2010 at a memorial dedication for the victims of the 2009 Lakewood police officer shooting.
Governor Gregoire and Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber announce the Columbia River Crossing plan in 2011.

As the Great Recession began to impact states across the U.S. Gregoire announced the "Washington Jobs Now" package to provide economic stimulus and job creation. As the economic slowdown put Washingtonians out of work, she increased unemployment benefits and supported the Federal Recovery Act efforts by identifying shovel-ready projects to put people to work and make investments in communities and infrastructure. As signs of the Great Recession worsened, Gregoire announced additional measures to reform state government. As part of her 21st Century Government Reform Initiative she set out to streamline government, eliminate 17 boards and commissions, and reduce another 78. She also introduced legislation to reduce or eliminate a third of 64 small Cabinet agencies through mergers or realignments. Additionally, she signed a budget anticipating a potential $9 billion shortfall and reduced spending.

In January 2010 Gregoire released a 10-point plan to accelerate recovery and create as many as 40,000 jobs over the next three years. As the most trade dependent state in the nation, and as a way to more quickly emerge from the Great Recession, Gregoire also announced the Washington Export Initiative to expand the state's export opportunities and create jobs. As the Great Recession deepened, Gregoire announced plans to cut costs and streamline government by reducing state agencies from 21 to nine, saving $30 million. She also reached an agreement with state unions to reduce state employees’ pay by 3%.

To continue to help spur economic recovery, Gregoire emphasized small businesses as job creators and eased administrative burdens for them and local governments by Executive Order. As part of a significant and unprecedented overhaul of Workers’ Compensation reforms, she passed a bill to save $200 million over four years and increase outcomes for workers and employers. To emphasize Washington's role in global trade, Gregoire led a delegation of automotive, life-science, aerospace and education leaders to Europe on her sixth trade mission. She also led a trade mission to China and Japan.

Post-gubernatorial career

Gregoire's term ended in January 2013 and her official portrait was painted by artist Michele Rushworth.

Gregoire was reportedly considered by the Obama administration for a position in either the State Department or the Department of the Interior, but was not chosen.

After leaving office, Gregoire became a public speaker, notably speaking with former Oregon governor Ted Kulongoski at the Emerging Local Government Leaders in October 2013.

On July 1, Gregoire began a term as a board member for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Larry Corey, an M.D. and the director of the Hutchinson Center commented, "As governor, Chris Gregoire was a visionary leader and advocate of biomedical research. Under her watch she proposed a major initiative in the life sciences. Gregoire will be instrumental in helping to shine a spotlight on the lifesaving work of the Hutchinson Center and how it contributes to the health and well-being of people throughout the state and the world."

From August to December 2014, Gregoire took a position as a Fall Fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School in Harvard Square, where she spent time engaging with students at the school about leadership in various positions of government.

Challenge Seattle

After taking time away from public life following her governorship, Gregoire coordinated with several business and community leaders to found Challenge Seattle, an alliance of CEOs from 18 of the region's largest employers. Launched in 2015, Challenge Seattle, with Gregoire as its CEO, focuses on improving the Cascadia Innovation Corridor, education, middle-income housing affordability, and transportation projects.

Personal life

Gregoire's first child, Courtney, was born in Spokane in 1979. In 2013, Courtney was appointed to the Seattle Port Commission. Courtney has 2 children, Audrey and Alexa. Her second daughter, Michelle, was born in 1984. When not in Olympia, Gregoire lives in nearby Lacey with her husband, Michael.

In 2003, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in an early stage after a routine check-up and a mammogram. She had surgery and recovered. She mentions her fight with cancer in speeches about health care.

Awards

In 2007, Gregoire was named one of Governing magazines “Public Officials of the Year”

In 2009, Gregoire received a sort of tongue-in-cheek Fuse "Fizzle" Award. The awards program is aimed at promoting leadership and accountability in the Washington State Legislature.

In 1995, Gregoire received the honorary degree of LL.D. from Gonzaga University. In 2012, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws after delivering the commencement speech at Washington State University. In 2015, she received an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Washington.

Electoral history

Washington Attorney General Election 1992
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Christine Gregoire 1,190,784 54.88
Republican Norm Maleng 946,946 43.64
Populist Homer L. Brand 32,124 1.48
Washington Attorney General Election 1996
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Christine Gregoire 1,280,955 60.04
Republican Richard Pope 756,639 35.46
Libertarian Richard Shepard 58,673 2.75
Washington Attorney General Election 2000
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Christine Gregoire 1,292,887 55.98
Republican Richard Pope 883,002 38.23
Libertarian Richard Shepard 90,941 3.94
Washington Gubernatorial Election 2004
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Christine Gregoire 1,373,361 48.8730
Republican Dino Rossi 1,373,228 48.8683
Libertarian Ruth Bennett 63,465 2.2585
Washington Gubernatorial Election 2008
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Christine Gregoire 1,598,738 53.24 +4.34
Republican Dino Rossi 1,404,124 46.76 −2.11

See also

References

  1. "Gregoire to lead Governors Association meeting in D.C." Archived March 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, The News Tribune, February 28, 2011
  2. Wilson, Reid (July 25, 2012). "Chris Gregoire (D)". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 29, 2014. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  3. "Gregoire's mother and 'inspiration' dies". The Seattle Times. May 4, 2000.
  4. Profile of Gov. Gregoire Archived February 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  5. "Gregoire Ponders Leap Into Year Of The Woman 2000". archive.seattletimes.com. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  6. "Legacy Washington - WA Secretary of State". www.sos.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  7. Cameron, Jean (June 2004). "PACIFIC STATES/BRITISH COLUMBIA OIL SPILL TASK FORCE" (PDF). The Pacific States - British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  8. "Hanford Tri-Party Agreement". Washington State Department of Ecology. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  9. "Centennial Accord | GOIA". goia.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  10. "Washington's Attorneys General - Past and Present | Washington State". www.atg.wa.gov. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  11. ^ "Election Search Results - Elections & Voting - WA Secretary of State". www.sos.wa.gov. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  12. "Longtime prosecutor Norm Maleng dies". The Seattle Times. May 25, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  13. Governor, Office of the. "Initiative: Education". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  14. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  15. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  16. Doll, Richard; Hill, A. Bradford (June 26, 1954). "The Mortality of Doctors in Relation to Their Smoking Habits". British Medical Journal. 1 (4877): 1451–1455. doi:10.1136/bmj.1.4877.1451. ISSN 0007-1447. PMC 2085438. PMID 13160495.
  17. ^ "Attorney General Gregoire Announces Historic Tobacco Settlement in Washington D.C. | Washington State". www.atg.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  18. "Attorneys General announce Tobacco Settlement Proposal | Washington State". www.atg.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  19. ^ "Gregoire, State, net additional $395 million from tobacco settlement | Washington State". www.atg.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  20. Ralph Thomas (August 23, 2004). "Gubernatorial candidate Gregoire faced racial dilemma in college". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
  21. "Gregoire lashes out at Sims over all-white sorority story". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. August 26, 2004. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
  22. Angela Galloway (June 29, 2004). "Sims runs in primary on dreaded 'T' word". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
  23. Angela Galloway (September 15, 2004). "Gregoire vs. Rossi for governor". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
  24. Jennifer Sullivan (October 9, 2004). "Democrats tout stem-cell research". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
  25. Ralph Thomas (October 13, 2004). "Gregoire, Rossi debate in Yakima". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
  26. Ralph Thomas (May 1, 2005). "What Governor Gregoire said – and did". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
  27. Elaine Thompson (December 23, 2004). "Democrat wins hand recount in Wash. governor race". USA Today. Associated Press. Retrieved August 6, 2008.
  28. Ralph Thomas (December 30, 2004). "Gregoire declared governor-elect, but Rossi wants new vote". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 6, 2008.
  29. David Postman (January 29, 2005). "Republicans say they've found 249 more felons who voted". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 6, 2008.
  30. ^ David Postman (January 27, 2005). "GOP says it found 300 illegal votes". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 6, 2008.
  31. Sharon Altaras (June 6, 2005). "Judge upholds Gregoire's election". Wenatchee World. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
  32. ^ Ralph Thomas (October 28, 2004). "Out-of-state donors feed Gregoire fund". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 6, 2008.
  33. ^ David Ammons (February 8, 2008). "Gregoire endorses Obama for president". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. Retrieved August 21, 2008.
  34. Ralph Thomas (February 8, 2008). "Seattle's KeyArena jammed for Barack Obama". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved August 21, 2008.
  35. David Postman (February 10, 2008). "Obama beats Clinton 2-1; McCain edges Huckabee". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on June 19, 2008. Retrieved August 21, 2008.
  36. ^ David Ammons (April 7, 2008). "Gregoire kicks off re-election bid". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. Archived from the original on June 18, 2008. Retrieved August 21, 2008.
  37. David Ammons (The Associated Press) (April 7, 2008). "WA Gov. Gregoire kicks off re-election bid". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 21, 2008.
  38. "Governor Gregoire Addresses the Food Safety Conference". Office of the Governor. April 11, 2008. Retrieved August 21, 2008.
  39. Ralph Thomas (October 25, 2007). "Rossi announces bid for governor". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on April 6, 2009. Retrieved August 21, 2008.
  40. Ralph Thomas (April 12, 2008). "Rossi, Gregoire raising money for governor's race at record clip". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved August 21, 2008.
  41. Curt Woodward (April 28, 2008). "Gregoire gets fundraising help from Richardson". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. Archived from the original on June 16, 2008. Retrieved August 21, 2008.
  42. Gregory Roberts (April 28, 2008). "Bill Richardson boosts Chris Gregoire's campaign". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  43. David Postman; Emily Heffter (July 18, 2008). "Michelle Obama brings change message to Seattle fundraiser". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on July 21, 2008. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  44. Curt Woodward (July 31, 2008). "Governor's race close again – in money". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  45. Ralph Thomas (June 24, 2008). "When Gregoire won, so did her donors". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on August 24, 2008. Retrieved August 20, 2008.
  46. ^ Ralph Thomas (August 20, 2008). "Gregoire vs. Rossi: After top-two primary, real rumble begins". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on August 21, 2008. Retrieved August 20, 2008.
  47. "August 19, 2008 Top Two Primary". Washington Secretary of State's Office. August 20, 2008. Retrieved August 20, 2008.
  48. Mcgann, Chris; Capitol, P-I (November 5, 2008). "Gregoire triumphs as close race fails to materialize". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved November 5, 2008.
  49. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  50. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  51. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  52. "AN ACT Relating to studying early learning, K-12, and higher education; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date" (PDF).
  53. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  54. "Gregoire has plan to get education reform money". HeraldNet.com. January 14, 2010. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  55. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  56. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  57. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  58. "Washington's commitment to health coverage for all children" (PDF).
  59. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  60. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  61. "Washington Governor Issues Executive Order Directing State Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gases; Consideration of California Low Carbon Fuel Standard and Highway Electrification". Green Car Congress. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  62. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  63. ^ Geranios, Nicholas K.; Press, The Associated (December 29, 2006). "Spokanes, state, U.S. reach gambling deal". seattlepi.com. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  64. "History of Domestic Partnerships Leading to Legalization of Same Sex Marriages" (PDF).
  65. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  66. "Voters approve Referendum 71". The Seattle Times. November 5, 2009. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  67. "Washington governor signs gay marriage bill into law". USATODAY.COM. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  68. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  69. Tim Klass (January 13, 2009). "Gregoire announces tunnel option for Alaskan Way viaduct". Longview Daily News. Associated Press. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  70. "New 520 bridge to open in April; walkers, bicyclists get to try it first". The Seattle Times. January 12, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  71. Negroni, Christine (July 2, 2010). "Washington Plans Its Own Electric Highway". Wheels Blog. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  72. Oregonian/OregonLive, Jeff Manning | The (April 26, 2011). "Kitzhaber, Gregoire agree on Columbia River Crossing design: a simple composite deck truss". oregonlive. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  73. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  74. Cooper, Michael (November 30, 2011). "2 Governors Asking U.S. to Ease Rules on Marijuana to Allow for Its Medical Use". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  75. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  76. "Future aerospace work depends on state's competitiveness, Gregoire says". The Seattle Times. April 10, 2009. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  77. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  78. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  79. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  80. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  81. "Gregoire economic stimulus plan: the details: | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  82. Governor, Office of the. "Office of the Governor". www.digitalarchives.wa.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  83. "Wash. Gov. Gregoire wants to create 40,000 jobs". The Seattle Times. January 12, 2010. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  84. "Gregoire proposes to consolidate state agencies". HeraldNet.com. December 14, 2010. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  85. "Governor Gregoire Moves to Support Critical Small Business Sector". Seattle Business Magazine. October 26, 2010. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  86. "Washington Governor Signs Bill to Improve Workers' Comp System". Insurance Journal. March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  87. "Gregoire Returns To China For Trade Mission". NPR.org. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  88. Conelly, Joel (November 28, 2012). "Gregoire as interior secretary in Obama's second term?". SeattlePI.
  89. Varner, Lynne (November 29, 2012). "Gov. Chris Gregoire's legacy of public service". Seattle Times.
  90. Esteve, Harry (July 29, 2013). "Former Govs. Ted Kulongoski, Christine Gregoire to speak at Portland conference". Oregon Live.
  91. "Former Gov. Chris Gregoire Among Four Newly Appointed Board Members Of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center". Super Market News. July 10, 2013. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013.
  92. "Christine Gregoire". The Institute of Politics at Harvard University. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  93. "Our Work". Challenge Seattle. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  94. "Gregoire's daughter named to Port commission". The Seattle Times. March 5, 2013. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  95. "About Governor Gregoire". Washington State Office of the Governor. 2006. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2006.
  96. "Former Wash. governor Christine Gregoire becomes Fred Hutch board chair". Fred Hutch. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  97. "2007 Public Officials of the Year". www.governing.com. November 10, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  98. "Pushme-Pullyu" Award Archived April 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  99. "About Chris". Governor-Elect Christine Gregoire. Olympia, WA: Access Washington. 2004. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  100. "Grads urged to 'give back, make a difference' - WSU News - Washington State University". wsu.edu. May 5, 2012.
  101. Office of Ceremonies (June 13, 2015). "Christine Gregoire, Honorary Doctor of Laws". Washington.edu. Seattle, WA: University of Washington. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  102. "Election Search Results". Washington Secretary of State. October 3, 2008. Retrieved October 3, 2008.
  103. ^ "Election Search Results". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved May 23, 2019.

External links

Legal offices
Preceded byKen Eikenberry Attorney General of Washington
1993–2005
Succeeded byRob McKenna
Party political offices
Preceded byGary Locke Democratic nominee for Governor of Washington
2004, 2008
Succeeded byJay Inslee
Political offices
Preceded byGary Locke Governor of Washington
2005–2013
Succeeded byJay Inslee
Preceded byJoe Manchin Chair of National Governors Association
2010–2011
Succeeded byDave Heineman
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byMartha McSallyas Former US Senator Order of precedence of the United States
Within Washington
Succeeded byMike Castleas Former Governor
Preceded bySteve Bullockas Former Governor Order of precedence of the United States
Outside Washington
Succeeded byButch Otteras Former Governor
Governors of Washington
Territorial (1853–1889)
State (since 1889)
Chairs of the National Governors Association
Categories: