Jay Inslee 2020 presidential campaign
The 2020 presidential campaign of Jay Inslee began on March 1, 2019, when Inslee – the incumbent Governor of Washington – announced that he would be running for the Democratic nomination. He had been chair of the Democratic Governors Association for the 2018 election cycle and served as a co-chair of the United States Climate Alliance.[3] He was the first governor to enter the 2020 race.[4]
Jay Inslee for President
- Governor of Washington (2013–present)
- U.S. Representative from Washington (1993–1995, 1999–2012)
- Washington State Representative (1989–1993)
March 1, 2019
August 21, 2019
Aisling Kerins (campaign manager)[1]
US$6,922,717.11[2] (September 2019)
Our Moment
Inslee centered his campaign around climate change and other environmental issues.[5] His policy positions included transitioning the United States completely to zero-emission renewable energy by 2035, and investing in the creation of a clean energy economy and additional jobs. Inslee's campaign was officially suspended on August 21, 2019, when he announced his withdrawal from the race on The Rachel Maddow Show.[6]
Background[edit]
Throughout 2018, speculation rose that Inslee was considering a run for President of the United States in the 2020 election.[7] He garnered national attention due to Washington v. Trump, a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's order to ban entry from seven Muslim-majority countries.[8] While serving as chair of the Democratic Governors Association during the 2018 gubernatorial elections, Inslee oversaw Democrats gaining seven net governorships nationwide, further propelling him into the national spotlight and fueling speculation that he would run.[9] Inslee cited climate change as his primary motivation for running, strongly criticizing the Trump Administration's policies.[10]
On January 2, 2019, it was reported that Inslee was beginning to form an exploratory committee, the first step in a campaign.[9][11] Inslee has pointed to former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, saying that they were once "pretty much unknown governors of small states" and adding, "this is a wide-open field. No one has a lock on this. No one has a total crystal ball as to what the nation wants."[10] On February 28, 2019, it was reported that Inslee had hired former advisors of Tom Steyer.[12]
Political positions[edit]
Climate change[edit]
Inslee made climate change the primary issue of his campaign, saying that it poses a "clear and present danger" to the country and comparing it to a terrorist threat.[23] He strongly desired to transfer the United States away from the use of fossil fuels and towards the use of renewable energy.[24]
On May 3, 2019, Inslee unveiled his "100% Clean Energy for America Plan", proposing zero-emission, renewable, and 100% clean energy nationwide by 2035.[25] This plan was later adopted by Elizabeth Warren.[26]
Economy[edit]
On May 16, 2019, Inslee unveiled his "An Evergreen Economy for America plan", with proposals involving investing roughly $9 trillion into jobs, clean energy, and modern infrastructure, in order to create 8 million jobs over the next ten years in the context of a clean energy economy.[27] This plan included raising the federal minimum wage to $15/hour by 2024, pegged to median hourly wage thereafter, as well as introducing national paid sick leave.[28]
Education[edit]
Inslee's education plan involved climate change, using the Department of Education to make new investments in STEM to help address the nation's technology concerns. Inslee also called for the retrofitting and upgrade of every U.S. school building within ten years, both to improve overall education infrastructure, and to prepare for the effects of climate change. He also pushed for large investments in mental health programs, universal preschool through age four, and free or reduced college tuition, reflecting the principles of the College Grant Program he implemented in Washington state. He also pushed for more equal access to education for disadvantaged populations, such as undocumented immigrants, DREAMers, and incarcerated persons.[29]