Christine Gregoire

Christine Gregoire
Name	Christine Gregoire
Birth date	1947-03-24
Birth place	Centralia, Washington, U.S.
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Gonzaga University School of Law, Gonzaga University
Occupation	Attorney, Politician
Party	Democratic Party
Office	22nd Governor of Washington
Term start	January 12, 2005
Term end	January 16, 2013
Predecessor	Gary Locke
Successor	Jay Inslee

Christine Gregoire (born March 24, 1947) 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 previously served as the state's attorney general and as a prosecutor in the office of the King County Prosecutor. Gregoire's tenure encompassed high-profile litigation, policy reforms, and partisan electoral contests that drew national attention.

Early life and education

Born in Centralia, Washington, Gregoire grew up in Auburn, Washington and attended local schools before enrolling at Gonzaga University for undergraduate studies. She earned her Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University School of Law, where she was involved with campus organizations and legal clinics. Her formative years connected her with civic institutions in Lewis County, Washington and Pierce County, Washington, shaping early interests that later intersected with work in the offices of the Washington Attorney General and county legal bodies.

Legal and public service career

Gregoire began her professional career as a deputy prosecutor in the office of the King County Prosecuting Attorney, where she handled criminal prosecutions alongside colleagues from the offices of Seattle City Attorney and prosecutors from Snohomish County. She subsequently served in the Washington State Department of Ecology in roles related to environmental enforcement and litigation, coordinating with the United States Environmental Protection Agency on matters involving state agencies and regional stakeholders. In 1993 she was elected Attorney General of Washington, succeeding Ken Eikenberry after serving in state legal positions and partnering with officials from the Washington State Legislature and the Governor's office.

As attorney general, Gregoire led litigation against national corporations and worked with counterparts such as the attorneys general of Massachusetts, New York, and California on multistate consumer protection and public health actions. She participated in settlement negotiations with entities like Tobacco Industry defendants and coordinated with federal actors from the United States Department of Justice and agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on public health matters. Gregoire also litigated on behalf of the state in cases involving natural resources and tribal governments, engaging with leaders from the Yakama Nation and other Native American nations in Washington State.

Washington gubernatorial campaigns and administration

Gregoire first ran for governor in 2004 in a high-profile contest involving Republican candidate Dino Rossi, culminating in a contested recount and a decision by the Washington State Supreme Court. After winning reelection in 2008 against Republican Dino Rossi and facing challengers from parties including the Green Party, she began a second term during the national administrations of George W. Bush (end) and Barack Obama. Her administration included appointments of figures with experience in state agencies such as the Washington State Department of Transportation and collaborations with regional governors like Arnold Schwarzenegger of California and Chris Gregoire-era counterparts (note: administrative colleagues varied).

During her terms, Gregoire managed relationships with the Washington State Legislature, negotiating with leaders from both the Washington State Democratic Party and Washington State Republican Party caucuses on budgets and policy priorities. Her administration addressed issues related to public safety and infrastructure, interacting with federal programs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and coordinating with municipal leaders including the mayor of Seattle.

Policy initiatives and accomplishments

Gregoire championed initiatives in areas such as public health, environmental protection, and infrastructure. She supported measures that involved the Washington State Department of Health and pursued strategies to expand access to services worked on alongside national organizations like the Kaiser Family Foundation and state coalitions including the Washington Health Care Authority. In environmental policy, Gregoire advanced clean energy and carbon reduction goals interacting with agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and multistate compacts like the Western Climate Initiative. Her administration promoted investments in transportation projects funded in part through bonds and coordinated with regional transit authorities like Sound Transit and the Washington State Ferries system.

Gregoire also focused on education and workforce initiatives, partnering with institutions including the University of Washington, Washington State University, and the Community Colleges of Washington to align higher education and job training programs with state economic priorities. Public safety and judicial matters under her tenure engaged the Washington State Patrol and the Washington Supreme Court where legal and policy reforms were addressed. Her leadership earned recognition from organizations such as the National Governors Association and drew attention from national policymakers including members of the United States Congress.

Post-gubernatorial activities and later career

After leaving office in 2013, Gregoire remained active in public policy and nonprofit work, serving on boards and collaborating with institutions like the Brookings Institution, Center for American Progress, and state-focused organizations such as the Evergreen State College Foundation. She participated in speaking engagements with universities including the University of Washington and think tanks including the Aspen Institute, and contributed to initiatives on environmental stewardship, public health, and civic leadership. Gregoire has also worked with philanthropic foundations and regional economic development groups, maintaining ties to leaders in Seattle, Tacoma, and across Washington State.

Category:Governors of Washington (state) Category:Living people Category:1947 births