Rob Mckenna

Washington Race for Governor Too Close to Call

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 17:29:43 +0000

It’s déjà vu. Once again, Washington’s race for governor is too close to call. Democrat Jay Inslee leads Republican Rob McKenna by nearly three percentage points with just over half the expected ballots counted.

One-On-One With Washington's Candidates For Governor

Austin Jenkins — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 00:03:02 +0000

Ballots are arriving in the mail. And a new poll shows the race for Washington governor is a virtual dead heat. Whoever is elected will inherit a budget shortfall along with a court order to spend more on education.

Wash. Governor Candidates Vow No New Taxes -- With Caveats

Austin Jenkins — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:28:30 +0000

Ballots are about to go out in Washington. In the race for governor, both candidates are pledging to veto tax hikes. But Republican Rob McKenna and Democrat Jay Inslee also leave themselves some wiggle room.

Public Employee Pay Raises Become Issue In Wash. Governor’s Race

Austin Jenkins — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 23:37:46 +0000

The issue of pay raises for public employees is quickly becoming an issue in Washington’s race for governor. There’s much to debate including: a cost of living increase for teachers, a dollar-an-hour pay hike for unionized homecare workers, and an end to a 3 percent pay cut for state workers.

At the last governor’s debate, Republican Rob McKenna attacked Democrat Jay Inslee’s record as a state lawmaker in the early 1990s.

Washington's "Blue Tide" Creates Challenges For McKenna

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:18:10 +0000

As the presidential candidates prepare for Wednesday night’s debate, polls show President Obama averages a 15-point advantage in Washington over Republican rival Mitt Romney. Washington’s open race for governor is much closer. The two candidates in that contest met Tuesday night in Yakima for a fiery third debate. But the polls highlight a reality for Republican Rob McKenna: he’ll have to woo a good number of Obama voters if he’s to become Washington’s first G-O-P governor in nearly 30 years.

Reality Check: New Wash. Governor Faces $1B Shortfall, $1B Education Bill

Austin Jenkins — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:06:11 +0000

Both candidates for Washington governor have pledged to drive more money into education – without raising taxes. But the state faces a $1 billion shortfall in the next two year budget cycle. Plus, a recent Supreme Court ruling requires the state to come up with another $1 billion for schools.

Wash. Governor Candidates To Meet For Third Debate

Austin Jenkins — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 23:53:32 +0000

The candidates for Washington governor will square off in Yakima Tuesday night for their third official debate. Polls give Democrat Jay Inslee a slight lead over Republican Rob McKenna.

Final Hours Before Wash. Primary Election

Ann Dornfeld — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 00:05:26 +0000

The most closely-watched primary race is for Washington’s first new governor in eight years. It’s dominated by two candidates: Republican Rob McKenna is the state’s attorney general. Democrat Jay Inslee stepped down from his seat in Congress in March to run for governor.

McKenna Proposes Cap On Non-Education Spending To Fund Education

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 01:24:06 +0000

Washington Republican candidate for governor Rob McKenna proposes to increase funding for public schools by capping all non-education state spending. That’s just one piece of an education funding plan he unveiled Tuesday.

Wash. Gubenatorial Candidates On Healthcare Decision

Leslie McClurg — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 01:26:59 +0000

Both of Washington’s gubernatorial candidates claimed victory today [Thursday] after the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Healthcare Act.

Republican candidate Rob McKenna was one of 26 Attorney Generals arguing that it was unconstitutional to force uninsured people to buy insurance. This morning [Thursday] the Supreme Court ruled that the individual mandate is in fact constitutional. Democrats called it a defeat for McKenna. They said the decision could hurt his run for governor against Democratic Congressman Jay Inslee. But McKenna disagreed. KUOW's Leslie McClurg reports.