[2][3] The officeholder has a duty to enforce state laws,[4] the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Washington Legislature and line-item veto power to cancel specific provisions in spending bills.

William H. Wallace was appointed governor but never took office due to being elected as the territory's congressional delegate.

Twenty-two individuals have held the office of Governor of Washington since the state's admission to the Union, with Arthur B. Langlie serving non-consecutive terms.

Populist Party candidate John Rankin Rogers is the only non-Democratic or Republican nominee to win office.

The most recent governor to be from Eastern Washington was Clarence D. Martin, elected in 1932.