OLYMPIA — Four years ago, Gov. Chris Gregoire attended her inaugural ball under the cloud of a Republican court challenge of her victory.
This time, the challenge of fixing a massive budget shortfall during the 105-day legislative session looms instead.
But Gregoire and others celebrating her re-election are putting worry on hold for a few hours Wednesday night.
“These are tough times and our challenges are many,” the Democratic governor wrote in the official program for her inaugural ball. “But in partnership with all of you, and in a spirit of hope, determination and generosity, we will emerge stronger than ever.”
In a nod to the troubled economy, Gregoire has asked attendees to donate to local food banks.
The governor’s inaugural ball has taken place since 1853. Committee President Dan Neuhauser said there was never any thought of canceling the party, even as lawmakers enter a challenging legislative session where they are charged with fixing a massive budget shortfall of about $6 billion.
“It’d be like canceling Fourth of July,” he said. “It’s tradition, part of our history.”
No taxpayer money is used to host the event, Neuhauser said, and the cost, about $250,000, is covered by the $100 ticket price and donations from businesses.
Gregoire attended her first inaugural ball four years ago after two recounts put her ahead of Republican challenger Dino Rossi by a mere 129 votes.
That first party under the Capitol rotunda came as Republicans went to court. By the time the court challenge was done six months later, Gregoire’s win was validated and her victory margin increased by four votes. In their rematch in November, Gregoire handily beat Rossi with 53 percent of the vote.
There were four different music venues, and about 275 culinary students and chefs from around the Puget Sound region serving about 30 different appetizers, including Moroccan lamb tagine and tapenade with smoked tomato crostini. There were also ice sculptures and a chocolate fountain was featured in the Supreme Court’s Temple of Justice.
While the ball mainly took place inside the rotunda of the Capitol, additional events were planned in the Temple of Justice, the Insurance Building and in white tents around the Capitol.
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