Inslee running for governor in Washington

Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) announced Monday that he will run for governor in 2012.

The eight-term lawmaker announced his candidacy in Seattle Monday morning. He will run against Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna (R), who has been polling well in the state, which has seen some contentious gubernatorial races.

Gov. Christine Gregoire (D), who's retiring, barely beat Republican Dino Rossi in 2004 (a long recount determined the eventual winner) but did better against him in 2008, when President Obama was on top of the ticket.

This isn't the first time Inslee has tried to move to the governor's mansion. In 1996, he lost the Democratic nomination to Gary Locke, who went on to win in the general election.

Inslee's House seat, where he's easily won reelection the past few cycles, already has some contenders. On Monday, Washington state Rep. Roger Goodman (D) threw his hat into the race. Another Democrat, Laura Ruderman, and Republican James Watkins, who lost to Inslee in 2010, have also filed.

"We look forward to electing a Democrat next November who will fight against the Republicans’ plan to end Medicare and will represent the middle class families of this district," Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) said in a statement.