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Prior to serving as Governor, Gregoire served three terms as attorney general—the first woman to be elected to the position in Washington. She led a statewide program that resulted in a comprehensive reform of the state's juvenile system, fought to pass tougher ethics laws for state government, sought alternatives to litigation for legal disputes, and to protect privacy and combat identity theft. Gregoire was the lead negotiator in the groundbreaking settlement of state lawsuits against the tobacco industry and was named the most influential attorney general in the country by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Gregoire was appointed in 1988 to serve as director of the Washington Department of Ecology, where she negotiated the safe cleanup and permanent storage of radioactive wastes at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.

She was raised in Auburn, Washington by her mother, who worked as a short order cook. She rode horses, picked blueberries and learned the value of hard work and a good education. After graduating from Auburn High School, she attended the University of Washington. She graduated with a teaching certificate and a bachelor of arts degrees in speech and sociology. She received her law degree in 1977 from Gonzaga University and an honorary Doctor of Law degree from Gonzaga in 1995.

Her 2007–2009 proposed budget reflects her continued commitment to world-class education, children’s health insurance and her other top priorities, including fiscal responsibility, quality health care and job creation. Her budget will fundamentally change educational expectations, delivery and results in Washington with substantial investments at all levels, from early learning through K-12 to higher education and job training. It provides access to health insurance for an additional 32,000 children who are not covered and sets up a constitutionally protected rainy day fund to safeguard savings.

Gregoire met her husband, Mike, in 1971 when they both worked for the Washington Department of Social and Health Services. They have two adult daughters: Courtney, an attorney and Michelle, a college senior.