Gary Locke was the popular two-term Governor of Washington from 1997-2005.
As Governor he opposed new taxes and was something of a fiscal conservative. He would later be appointed Secretary of Commerce and Ambassador to China under Obama.
How could Gary Locke become President?
He likely would have won reelection in 2004 had he run, but after receiving hate mail and death threats following his state of the union response in 2003 he opted not to run. Maybe Kerry, Obama, or Clinton pick him as VP and he moves up from there?