Gregoire sworn in as Washington governor

OLYMPIA — Christine Gregoire, winner of the closest governor's race in Washington history, was inaugurated today, but faces an immediate court challenge that could make it a short-lived honor.

"Change is here and more is coming," she said in her first official speech.

Democrat Gregoire, 57, a scrappy three-term attorney general who took on the tobacco industry and polluters, took the oath of office before a joint session of the state Legislature. Minority Republicans had battled unsuccessfully to delay her inauguration for two weeks.

Republicans in the House Chamber rose along with cheering Democrats to greet her swearing-in, but did not join in the applause.

Backers of her Republican rival, former state Senate budget Chairman Dino Rossi, continue to agitate for a statewide revote.

Gregoire, in a prepared inaugural address, acknowledged her tiny election margin, and urged partisans not to let their differences paralyze the state.

"This is not an easy time to lead," she conceded. "Much has been written about red states and blue states and the great political divide — not to mention the razor-thin governor's race here.

ELLEN M. BANNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES Steve Linderman of Bonney Lake yesterday gives a thumbs-down to supporters of Christine Gregoire and urges a revote. Gregoire supporters and opponents gathered outside the Capitol in Olympia as the Legislature certified her as governor.

"Many have asked how I can govern without a clear mandate from the voters. I believe the voters have given all of us a mandate — a mandate to overcome our differences and to solve problems."

Gregoire said the state is more unified than might be apparent from the election flap. Voters everywhere want good-paying jobs, affordable health care, effective and efficient government, good schools and colleges and a clean environment, she said.

She announced creation of a select commission on election reform, to be headed by Republican Secretary of State Sam Reed and the former Senate Democratic floor leader, Betti Sheldon of Bremerton.

"Clearly the election recount ordeal of the last two months has challenged us, and among our challenges this session is election reform," she said. "We want every vote to count — and to be counted right the first time."

Although the state is dependably Democratic, Gregoire narrowly lost the first two vote counts. But when Democrats ordered one final hand recount, she pulled ahead for the first time, by a minuscule 129 votes out of 2.9 million ballots cast.

Republicans say widespread irregularities, including votes cast by felons and dead people, spoiled the election to the point where it's impossible to truly know who won.

Invoking a rarely used law that allows an election "contest," Republicans have asked the courts to set aside the election and order a redo. Chelan County Superior Court Judge T.W. Small was hearing a motion today on the Democrats' attempt to intervene in the Republicans' lawsuit, and has scheduled more proceedings on Friday.

The case is expected to end up in the state Supreme Court, which has already ruled twice in election-related matters.