A Republican has not held the governorship in Washington state for four decades, with Democrats leading the state since 1981.

Now, GOP officials are hopeful they can take back control after the nation’s longest-serving governor, Jay Inslee, declined to run for a fourth term in 2024.

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Here is a look at who has said they are joining the race so far:

Misipati Semi Bird

The first Republican candidate, Richland’s Misipati Semi Bird, launched his bid for the state office in November 2022. Bird describes himself as a “constitutional Christian conservative,” and would be the first black governor in Washington.

Bird serves as a board member and legislative representative for the Richland School District, and is a United States Marine Corps and Special Forces veteran.

Bird has criticized the state's current Democratic leaders, saying they are responsible for “imposing more taxes” and bringing “racially divisive policies” into schools.

Raul Garcia

Raul Garcia, a doctor from Yakima, announced his bid as a Republican in mid-May. Garcia is seen as a centrist Republican, noting in his campaign announcement that he does not want abortion to be illegal in the state of Washington.

“I am here to bring health to our state, to bring present, effective, and efficient leadership, and to create a government by the people of different walks of life and united by one common goal, to restore the safe and prosperous lives of our Washington families," Garcia said in his campaign announcement.

Garcia ran for governor in 2020, coming in fifth in the primary and receiving endorsements from big-name Republicans such as former Sen. Slade Gorton (R-WA) and former Gov. Dan Evans (R-WA).

Laurel Khan

In addition to traditional politicians, Laurel Khan, chef and owner of Mackinaws Restaurant, is getting involved in the contest.

Khan said she will “break down the establishment that has not been successful in representing all Washingtonians.”

Martin Wheeler

Election records show Fall City resident Martin Wheeler is seeking the Republican nomination. Wheeler ran for governor of Washington in 2020, losing in the primary.

Kristine Schuler

Republican Spokane resident Kristine Schuler has also filed in the race for the governorship.

Mark Mullet

Democratic state Sen. Mark Mullet joined the race to replace Inslee on Thursday. Mullet is viewed as a centrist Democrat, stating in his campaign launch that public safety, housing, and climate change issues are all among his top priorities.

“Too many families can’t afford, even on good salaries, the rising cost of living," Mullet said. "Too many families are worried about the direction of public safety in our state, which is why we need different leadership in Olympia.”

Mullet was first elected to the state Senate in 2012 and he currently acts as the vice chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Bob Ferguson

Democratic Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson was the first candidate to announce his bid after Inslee announced he won’t be running for reelection.

“From the Trump admin and gun lobby to anti-abortion extremists and corporate interests, I’ve taken on powerful adversaries, and won,” Ferguson said in his early-May campaign announcement.

Focusing on an anti-Trump agenda is an increasingly popular tactic among Democratic candidates across the nation. Ferguson’s campaign calls him the “first leader in the nation to take on President Trump.

“I’ll never stop taking on the big fights for Washingtonians," Ferguson said.

Hilary Franz

A few days after Ferguson’s launch, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, a Democrat, announced she would enter the race.

Franz, who has served on a number of environmental panels and organizations, started her campaign focusing on climate change and the housing crisis, noting, “Impacts of climate change are bearing down on all of us, and we have to fight it with everything we’ve got to protect our lands, waters, and communities.”

EL'ona Kearney

Military veteran and entrepreneur EL'ona Kearney filed to run at the end of May, according to election records. Kearney wants to “bring her skills to the table and focus on issues that affect everyone, regardless of party division,” according to her campaign site.

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Republicans have an uphill battle to reclaim control of the Evergreen State. Besides being blocked out of power for more than 40 years, the party's most recent challenge to Inslee was swatted down with ease.

In 2020, Loren Culp earned the Republican nomination to challenge Inslee. However, she lost to Inslee by more than 500,000 votes, casting doubt on the future of the party in the increasingly progressive state.

The Washington Examiner reached out to state Sen. Mark Mullet, Bob Ferguson, Hilary Franz, Raul Garcia, and Misipati Semi Bird.