The Democratic Governors Association (DGA) elected Gov. Inslee as their new Chair on Monday. Inslee has served as the DGA Vice Chair since December 2016, and will be taking over from Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy who has served as Chair since December 2015.

“The DGA is proud to announce Governor Jay Inslee will serve as its next chair,” said Gov. Malloy. “Governor Inslee has been a leader in progressive, pro-growth policies in Washington State. And Governor Inslee has played a critical role in supporting Democratic governors across the country.”

However, not everyone had such a positive review of Inslee’s new appointment as DGA chair. Washington State Republican Party Chairman Susan Hutchinson had this to say:

“It’s no surprise that a party in disarray would install Governor Jay Inslee as its Chairman. Inslee’s reputation in Washington State as the governor who can’t govern will not instill confidence in Democrat donors or bring back traditional Democrats who’ve left a party that no longer cares about their families, jobs, or futures. Inspired by the left wing Seattle echo chamber of big government socialism, he is not the kind of leader the rest of America can accept. Even so, Inslee is using this platform to help him run for President in 2020.”

Inslee’s term as chair begins immediately and he says his biggest priority is getting Democratic governors elected in 2018.

“We’ve seen an incredible groundswell of new candidates running up and down the ballot,” said Inslee, “and the new 2018 cycle is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to elect new Democratic leaders in states across the country. Electing Democratic governors is the best way to combat dysfunction in DC, strengthen the Democratic Party, and unrig the electoral map by stopping Republican gerrymandering in 2021.”

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