Oregon Public Broadcasting

Washington Governor Chris Gregoire says she doesn’t support assisted suicide. Her emotional comments come as former Governor Booth Gardner – who has Parkinson’s disease – prepares to file a “right to die” citizen initiative.

Chris Gregoire: “I love my friend Booth Gardner. And my heart goes out to his condition. And what he’s had to face. But I find it on a personal level very, very difficult to support assisted suicide.”

Gregoire is Catholic and the Catholic Church has been a vocal opponent of right-to-die measures.

Former Governor Gardner hopes to put an Oregon-style assisted suicide measure on this November’s ballot. He plans to file the paperwork Wednesday.

Both Gardner and Gregoire are Democrats.