1980 Washington gubernatorial election
Open-knowledge reference entry
The 1980 Washington gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980. Incumbent Democratic governor Dixy Lee Ray ran for a second term, but lost in the primary to State Representative Jim McDermott. McDermott was defeated in the general election by Republican candidate John Spellman, the King County Executive. As of 2026, this is the last time a Republican was elected Governor of Washington, thus beginning the longest Democratic streak in any of the 50 state governorships once Spellman left office.
Primary election
Candidates
Democratic
Robert L. Baldwin, Sr.
Douglas P. Bestle
Caroline "Hope" Diamond
Lloyd G. Isley
Jef Jaisun
Jim McDermott, psychiatrist, state senator, and candidate for governor in 1972
Dixy Lee Ray, incumbent governor of Washington
Republican
Duane Berentson, Speaker of Washington House of Representatives
Bruce Chapman, Secretary of State of Washington
Patrick Sean McGowan
Louise A. Saluteen
John Spellman, King County Executive
Rabbine Matthew Sutich
Results
General election
Candidates
Jim McDermott (D), psychiatrist, state senator, and candidate for governor in 1972
John Spellman (R), King County Executive
Results
By county
John Spellman was the first Republican to carry Franklin County, Mason County, and Pierce County since Roland H. Hartley in 1928. Franklin County has voted Republican in every subsequent gubernatorial election. Spellman is the most recent Republican to have won King County and Thurston County. Snohomish County and Whatcom County have voted Republican only once since this election.
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