1988 United States Senate election in Washington

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1988 United States Senate election in Washington

← 1983 (special) November 8, 1988 1994 →
 
Nominee Slade Gorton Mike Lowry
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 944,359 904,183
Percentage 51.09% 48.91%

County results

Gorton:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

Lowry:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Daniel J. Evans
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Slade Gorton
Republican

The 1988 United States Senate election in Washington was held on November 8, 1988. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Daniel J. Evans decided to retire instead of running for re-election to a full term, after being appointed to the seat in 1983, and won election to a partial term that same year. Republican former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton, who had just lost a re-election bid in 1986, won the open seat.[1] As of 2024, this is the last time Washington simultaneously voted for different parties for President and for Senate, as Michael Dukakis was simultaneously carrying the state against George H. W. Bush.

Blanket primary[edit]

Candidates[edit]

Democratic[edit]

Republican[edit]

  • Slade Gorton, former U.S. Senator (1981–1987)
  • Douglas J. Smith

Third-party[edit]

  • William C. Goodloe (Washington Taxpayer), judge and lawyer
  • Daniel B. Fein (Socialist Workers Party)

Results[edit]

Blanket primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Slade Gorton 335,846 35.90%
Democratic Mike Lowry 297,399 31.79%
Democratic Don Bonker 241,170 25.78%
Republican Douglas J. Smith 31,512 3.37%
Washington Taxpayers William C. Goodloe 26,224 2.80%
Socialist Workers Daniel B. Fein 3,312 0.35%
Total votes 935,463 100.00%

General election[edit]

Candidates[edit]

Results[edit]

General election results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Slade Gorton 944,359 51.09
Democratic Mike Lowry 904,183 48.91
Majority 40,176 2.17
Turnout 1,848,542
Republican hold

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Ammons, David (November 9, 1988). "Slade Gorton runs, wins as a hard-liner". Longview Daily News. Longview, Washington. Associated Press. p. 5. Retrieved June 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Elections Search Results - September 1988 Primary". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  3. ^ "Elections Search Results - November 1988 General". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved June 24, 2022.