1988 United States Senate election in Washington

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 Democrat Michael Dukakis won the state in the concurrent presidential election.

1988 United States Senate election in Washington

← 1983 (special)November 8, 19881994 →
 
NomineeSlade GortonMike Lowry
PartyRepublicanDemocratic
Popular vote944,359904,183
Percentage51.09%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

Blanket primary

Candidates

Democratic

Republican

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

Third-party

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

Results

Blanket primary results[2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanSlade Gorton 335,846 35.90%
DemocraticMike Lowry 297,399 31.79%
DemocraticDon Bonker241,17025.78%
RepublicanDouglas J. Smith31,5123.37%
Washington TaxpayersWilliam C. Goodloe26,2242.80%
Socialist WorkersDaniel B. Fein3,3120.35%
Total votes935,463 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results

General election results[3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanSlade Gorton 944,359 51.09
DemocraticMike Lowry904,18348.91
Majority40,1762.17
Turnout1,848,542
Republican hold

See also

References