Jay Inslee

Jay Robert Inslee, a Democrat, has represented the First Congressional District of Washington in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1998.

Iraq War
Inslee voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Background
Born February 9, 1951 in Seattle, Washington, Insley graduated from the University of Washington (B.A., Economics) and Willamette University School of Law. After a decade working as an attorney in Selah, Washington, in 1988 Inslee was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives, where he served until 1992, when he was elected to the U.S. House representing the 4th district. He lost his bid for re-election in the Republican Revolution of 1994 (to Doc Hastings), a defeat often attributed in large part to his vote in favor of the assault weapons ban.

Inslee moved to western Washington and briefly resumed the practice of law before running for governor in 1996 and losing in the Democratic primary to Gary Locke. President Bill Clinton subsequently appointed him Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a position he shortly left to again run for Congress in 1998, this time in the First Congressional District against two-term incumbent Rick White. His campaign attracted national attention when he became the first Democratic candidate to air television ads attacking his opponent, and the Republican congressional leadership, for the impeachment of President Clinton. He narrowly won, with 49.8% to White's 44.1%, aided by the presence of a religious right third party candidate, Bruce Craswell.

Congressional Career
Though the First is historically a swing district (changing hands twice in the 1990s), Republicans have had a difficult time fielding a serious challenger to Inslee, who was re-elected in 2000 (54.6%), 2002 (55.6%), and 2004 (62.3%). In July 2003, after then-Governor Gary Locke announced his retirement, Inslee briefly flirted with a gubernatorial bid before deciding to remain in Congress.

Regarded by many as a Clintonian "New Democrat" when first elected, Inslee has accumulated a progressive voting record, and has been an outspoken critic of the Bush administration's decision to invade Iraq. He has been a supporter of the Apollo Alliance, an organization dedicated to alternative energy.

2006 elections
In 2006, Republicans nominated Larry Wayne Ishmael to face Inslee in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Inslee retained his seat.

Money in politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality
 * Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
 * Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet
 * House Committee on Natural Resources
 * Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials
 * Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
 * Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet
 * House Committee on Resources
 * Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health

2008 Campaign Contact Information
Official Inslee for Congress campaign website

Inslee for Congress PO Box 33027 Seattle, WA 98133

Phone: (206) 533-0575

Articles and resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database