1983 United States Senate special election in Washington

The 1983 United States Senate special election in Washington, was a special election to fill the seat which had been held by longtime Senator Henry Jackson, who unexpectedly died on September 1.[1] Three-term former governor Dan Evans was appointed by Governor John Spellman on September 8,[2][3] and he won the special election over congressman Mike Lowry on November 8.[4] Jackson had won a sixth term the previous year, so more than five years remained in the term.

1983 United States Senate special election in Washington

November 3, 1983

Nominee Dan Evans Mike Lowry Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 672,326 540,981 Percentage 55.41% 44.59%

County Results Evans:     50-60%      60-70% Lowry:     50-60%

U.S. senator before election Dan Evans Republican Elected U.S. Senator Dan Evans Republican

The legislature ordered a primary election on October 11;[5] it featured 33 candidates (19 Democrats, 13 Republicans, and one Socialist Labor),[6][7] setting the modern record for number of candidates in a Washington U.S. Senate election.[8] As of 2021, this is the last time King County voted for a Republican Senate candidate.

Election results

Washington United States Senate special election, November 8, 1983[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Daniel J. Evans (incumbent)	672,326	55.41
	Democratic	Mike Lowry	540,981	44.59
	Republican gain from Democratic

See also

• 1982 United States Senate elections
• 1988 United States Senate elections

References

1. "Sen. Henry Jackson is dead". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. September 2, 1983. p. 1.
2. "Daniel Evans will succeed Sen. Jackson". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. September 9, 1983. p. 1.
3. Balz, Dan (September 9, 1983). "Spellman picks Evans to fill Senate vacancy". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). (Washington Post). p. 1A.
4. Moody, Dick (November 9, 1983). "Evans sweeps to Senate victory". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. A1.
5. White, John (September 12, 1983). "Senate candidates gear up for primary race". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. p. 6.
6. "Today's vote will narrow Senate field". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). staff and wire reports. October 11, 1983. p. 1.
7. Moody, Dick (October 12, 1983). "The winners: Evans Lowry". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 1.
8. Camden, Jim (19 May 2018). "U.S. Senate primary: Cantwell and 29 challengers". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
9. http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/results_report.aspx?e=30&c=&c2=&t=&t2=&p=&p2=&y=