Christine Gregoire was sworn in Wednesday as Governor of Washington state. Washington makes history as the first state to have its top three statewide offices held by women, as Governor Gregoire joins U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray. Washington, at 33.3%, ranks second to Maryland in the percentage of women holding state legislative office according to the Center for American Women and Politics.
Gregoire’s election was certified after Republican legislators failed in their efforts to delay the swearing-in for two weeks to allow time for the courts to hear losing Republican candidate Dino Rossi’s challenge to the election. Rossi’s challenge is expected to end up in the state Supreme Court, reports The Associated Press.
