The Washington Senate ousted state Dept. of Transportation Secretary Lynn Peterson on Feb. 5—the first rejection of a gubernatorial appointee in the state since 1998.
The surprise move came in a 25-21 vote against confirming the 2013 appointment of Peterson. Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee had strong words against the move, both in a statement on Friday and during a press conference on Monday, when he called the Senate Republicans “out of control at this moment.”