Previous Governors of Washington
Governors who previously held office in Washington, with term dates and party affiliation.
Jay Robert Inslee is an American politician and attorney who served as the 23rd governor of Washington from 2013 to 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the United States House of Representatives from 1993 to 1995 and from 1999 to 2012. Inslee was also a candidate in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.
Christine Gregoire is an American attorney and politician who served as the 22nd governor of Washington, from 2005 to 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, she was elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2008, the first of which was the closest gubernatorial election in the history of Washington. She was the state’s second female governor. Gregoire served as chair of the National Governors Association from 2010 to 2011. She also served on the governors' council of the Bipartisan Policy Center.
Gary Faye Locke is an American politician, attorney, and former diplomat.
Michael Edward Lowry was an American politician who served as the 20th governor of Washington from 1993 to 1997. His political career ended when his deputy press secretary, Susanne Albright, made accusations of sexual misconduct against him. A member of the Democratic Party, Lowry served as a United States representative from Washington's 7th congressional district from 1979 to 1989, and unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate in 1983 and 1988.
William Booth Gardner was an American politician who served as the 19th governor of Washington, from 1985 to 1993. He also served as the ambassador of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, or GATT. A member of the Democratic Party, Gardner served as a state senator from 1971 to 1973, and was the Pierce County executive prior to his tenure as governor. His service was notable for advancing standards-based education and environmental protection.
John Dennis Spellman was an American politician who served as the first King County executive from 1969 to 1981 and the 18th governor of Washington from 1981 to 1985.
Dixy Lee Ray was an American academic, scientist, and politician who served as the 17th governor of Washington from 1977 to 1981. Variously described as idiosyncratic and "ridiculously smart," she was the state's first female governor and was in office during the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. She was a supporter of atomic energy.
Daniel Jackson "Dan" Evans was an American politician who served as a member of the Washington House of Representatives representing Washington's 43rd legislative district from 1957 to 1965, the 16th governor of Washington from 1965 to 1977, and later served in the United States Senate from 1983 to 1989. He was also the second president of Evergreen State College in Olympia from 1977 to 1983 before being in the U.S. Senate. He was a member of the Republican Party.
Albert Dean Rosellini was an American politician who served as the 15th governor of Washington from 1957 to 1965 and was both the first Italian-American and Roman Catholic governor elected west of the Mississippi River.
Arthur Bernard Langlie was an American politician who served as the mayor of Seattle and was the 12th and 14th governor of the state of Washington from 1941 to 1945 and from 1949 to 1957. He is the only mayor of Seattle to be elected governor of Washington, the longest serving Governor of Washington, and the only governor in the state's history to serve non-consecutive terms.