BREAKING: Jay Inslee will not seek 4th term as Washington's governor in 2024

Washington state Governor Jay Inslee (D) announced Monday that he will not seek re-election in 2024.

"Today I announced I will not be running for a fourth term. We've made Washington a beacon for progress, and now it's time to pass the torch," Gov Inslee said on Twitter. "I'm proud of the progress we've made on so many fronts: climate, financial aid, paid family leave, legal justice system reforms, gun safety, reproductive freedom... Now is the time to intensely focus on all we can accomplish in the next year and a half. I intend to do just that."

Inslee's announcement follows the conclusion of an "intense" and "controversial" legislative session where the democrat-controlled House and Senate voted to ban semi-automatic firearms, make Washington a sanctuary state for minors seeking gender affirming care and abortions, and legalized possession of illicit drugs, to name a few.

Governor Inslee became the second governor in state history to serve three consecutive terms after he was re-elected in 2020, and in his announcement Inslee called his tenure a "dynamic success."

"Serving the people as governor of Washington state has been my greatest honor. During a decade of dynamic change, we've made Washington a beacon for progress for the nation. I'm ready to pass the torch," Inslee said in a statement.

“Our last decade of Washington's storied history is one of growth and innovation. I am proud to have played a role in our state's leadership on so many fronts. We've passed the nation's best climate policies, the most successful family leave benefits, the best college scholarship programs, a more fair legal justice system, and the most protective actions against gun violence. We've shown that diversity is a strength worth fighting for. This has been ten years of dynamic success," Inslee said.

Under Inslee's governance, Washington state has succumbed to criminal lawlessness as well as an existential homeless crisis rippling throug the evergreen state. Immediately following the announcement, critics of the governor took to social media to praise Inslee's decision to step down from his post, saying "good riddance."

"Washingtonians should be proud. We successfully solved the homeless epidemic, made strives to save planet earth through increased tax efforts, safely allowed children to surgically remove sexual organs, and closed businesses that spread the Covid," a parody account of Inslee wrote.

"So many people I know and love have moved out of Washington, largely because of you. I will hold off and see who takes your place. There is hope for our amazing and BEAUTIFUL state!" another user wrote.

"I suppose that “beacon of progress” refers to the dumpster fire he has created in WA," another added.

"After signing the most disgusting law ever. Allowing gender reassignment without consent. He should have to face the consequences of this."

“Pass the torch”. How apropos. He’s burned Washington enough!"

Washington state residents also slammed Inslee for his "authoritarian" governance during the Covid pandemic, during which he fired thousands of state workers over draconian mandates and shutdown businesses which resulted in permanent closures and a wrecked economy.

"Taxes rose under your 'leadership' after you ran saying you didn't forsee needing new taxes. Homelessness, drug adiction, crime have all risen since you took office. And you ran the state as a dictator for more than 900 days," a Twitter user said, slamming the governor.

Governor Inslee concluded the statement saying that his office will remain laser focused on making "Washington a beacon of progress for all" by working with legislators and community leaders to "address Washington's homelessness crisis, speed our efforts to expand behavioral health services, continue our fight against climate change."

"As governor, I have seen my role as inspiring our state ever forward and ever higher. I'm gratified to be able to say that this approach has worked to improve Washingtonians lives in many ways and many places," Inslee concluded.