1964 Washington gubernatorial election
Open-knowledge reference entry
The 1964 Washington gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1964, between incumbent Democratic governor Albert Rosellini and Republican nominee Daniel J. Evans.
Rosellini, a former state senator, was elected governor in 1956 and re-elected in 1960; he had become unpopular after a series of scandals and increasing partisan division in the state legislature. Evans was a member of the state house of representatives and became the minority leader for the Republicans.
Despite the state's favoring of Democrats in national elections in 1964, Evans won by a large margin using a "Blueprint for Progress" as a cornerstone of his campaign. John Patric unsuccessfully ran in the blanket primary.
Primary election
Candidates
John Abretske (D)
Richard G. Christensen (R), Republican nominee for United States Senate in 1962
Daniel J. Evans (R), member of Washington House of Representatives
Lou Kessler (R)
Jessop McDonnell (D)
John Patric (D), writer and perennial candidate
Stewart W. Petersen (D)
Albert D. Rosellini (D), incumbent governor
Results
General election
Results
Results by county
Evans was the first Republican gubernatorial candidate to carry Cowlitz County since 1924. Additionally, Ferry County, Grant County, Kitsap County, and Snohomish County voted Republican for the first time since 1928. Pacific County did not back a Republican gubernatorial candidate again until 2016.
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