I actually think the 28 year run of Democratic governors is a problem for Inslee, but perhaps not for the reason some might suspect. Unlike in other states, one party control of the governor's mansion has not led to major corruption issues. But Rob McKenna is the strongest governor candidate the WA GOP has put up in a generation and the solid possibility he might break the 28 year streak is a story -- and a potentially hot one for the press. This has led to more media coverage and slightly more favorable coverage for McKenna. For much of the campaign Inslee was simply ignored, which is a big problem given AG McKenna's higher name ID. And the failure of his campaign to put out its own advertising only magnified the lack of press coverage.
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/does-jay-inslee-exist/Content?oid=13101430Recently, however, Inslee has finally taken to the airwaves. And McKenna has begun to find the higher level of press attention a double-edged sword as several of his missteps have been chronicled by the local media.
