Washington governor reflects on 8 years in office

When Gov. Chris Gregoire took office eight years ago, it was against a backdrop of a contested election that led to two recounts and a court challenge.

Gregoire, a Democrat, recently recalled that some Republicans turned their backs on her during her inaugural address in the House chambers in January 2005, and that occasionally people she encountered in public would say "revote" to her face.

"The traditional Cinderella period? I didn't get one," Gregoire said. "It was a tough beginning."