On the second level of the white and gray marbled Capitol building stands the governor’s office, guarded by a Washington State Patrol trooper stationed outside. On the interior walls are portraits and paintings showcasing past Washington Governors.
In the heart of the conference room stands a grand dark wood table surrounded by twelve bulky wood and brown leather chairs, and the one at the head of the table, where Jay Inslee sits, has leather detailing of Washington’s State seal at the top. The oval table is empty except a caffeine-free gold and red diet coke can.
“We don’t need any more caffeine in here,” Inslee joked.
Inslee, the longest-serving current governor in the nation, is overseeing the last weeks of his final legislative session and eyeing the end of his third and final term.
He said he feels like, “one of the luckiest people in the world,” looking forward to finishing strong and passing the torch as he celebrates 52 years of marriage to his close partner in work and life Trudi and prepares with her and his three sons and six grandchildren for their next adventure.