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1983 United States Senate special election in Washington

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1983 United States Senate special election in Washington

← 1982 November 8, 1983 1988 →
 
Nominee Daniel J. 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

Daniel J. Evans
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Daniel J. Evans
Republican

The 1983 United States Senate special election in Washington was a special election held 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.

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 2024, this was the last time King County voted for a Republican U.S. Senate candidate. This was the first time since 1923 that Republicans held both Senate seats in the state.

Blanket primary

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Candidates

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Democratic

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Republican

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Results

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Blanket primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Daniel J. Evans (incumbent) 250,046 36.68%
Democratic Mike Lowry 179,509 26.33%
Republican Lloyd E. Cooney 133,799 19.63%
Democratic Charles Royer 103,304 15.15%
Republican Larry Penberthy 1,642 0.24%
Democratic James R.F. Curdy 1,206 0.18%
Democratic Mike Olmer 1,032 0.15%
Total votes 670,538 100.00%

General election

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Candidates

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Results

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1983 Washington United States Senate special election[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Daniel J. Evans (incumbent) 672,326 55.41
Democratic Mike Lowry 540,981 44.59
Total votes 1,213,307 100.00%
Republican hold

See also

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References

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  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 (May 19, 2018). "U.S. Senate primary: Cantwell and 29 challengers". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  9. ^ "Election Search Results - Elections & Voting - WA Secretary of State".