Inslee enjoying an Inslee-decorated cupcake (Images: CHS)

Candidate Jay Inslee was on Capitol Hill this morning to accept an endorsement of his run for governor from the Human Rights Campaign. 

“Cupcakes are sweet and so is equality and we intend to have both in the state of Washington,” Inslee said in a short speech inside the E Pike Cupcake Royale store.  

The Royale chain’s Jody Hall has forged many Olympia and D.C. connections and as a supporter of gay rights, health care and small business efforts, has made Cupcake Royale the scene for the occasional political announcement or press conference.

The Seattle PI calls HRC the nation’s “biggest gay rights lobby” and notes that Inslee’s endorsement follows a recent string of “pro-Inslee” happenings by “Democratic-aligned interest groups.”

Inslee will face his Republican challenger Attorney General Rob McKenna in November.

Inslee and Hall (Image: CHS)