Current:Home > StocksDan Evans, former Republican governor of Washington and US senator, dies at 98-InfoLens
Dan Evans, former Republican governor of Washington and US senator, dies at 98
View Date:2024-12-23 19:01:18
SEATTLE (AP) — Dan Evans, a popular three-term Republican governor of Washington state who went on to serve in the U.S. Senate before leaving in frustration because he felt the chamber was too rancorous and tedious, has died. He was 98.
Evans died Friday, according to the University of Washington, where he had served as a regent and where the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance bears his name.
“Dan Evans was an honorable, independent-minded public servant who put Washington state first and dedicated his life to protecting and investing in the places and people in our state,” Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray said Saturday in a statement. “We were lucky to have him — and I have no doubt his legacy will live on for generations to come.”
Evans was a dominant force in Washington politics for decades and, until current Gov. Jay Inslee, he was the only person to be elected governor three times. In a statement posted to the social platform X, the Democrat said it was difficult to think of another resident who had such a positive impact on so many aspects of the state.
“We all, no matter our party, can feel fortunate for the progress he led during each of his three terms as governor,” Inslee said.
Born in 1925 in Seattle, Evans was a civil engineer before entering politics. He was elected to the state Legislature in 1956 and won the governorship in 1964, beating incumbent two-term Democrat Albert D. Rosellini and prevailing in a bad year for his fellow Republicans, one which saw President Lyndon Johnson soundly defeat the GOP’s Barry Goldwater.
Known as a moderate to liberal Republican, the avid outdoorsman helped add new recreation and park areas in the state and supported clean air and water legislation. He created the nation’s first state Department of Ecology, which President Richard Nixon used as a model for the Environmental Protection Agency.
Evans also unsuccessfully pushed to create a state income tax. He opted not to run for a fourth term.
“His legacy of coming together for the greater good, despite party lines, has inspired and will continue to inspire public servants and the Evans School community,” Jodi Sandfort, the school’s dean, said in a statement.
Sandfort recalled a quote from Evans: “Accomplishing good things takes bipartisan effort, because often what we’re trying to accomplish isn’t partisan.”
After leaving the governor’s mansion in 1977, Evans stayed in Olympia, serving as president of The Evergreen State College. Evans had helped create the state school when he signed an act authorizing the liberal arts college, and as governor he also backed founding the state’s community college system.
He built a national profile during his time leading the state and was the keynote speaker at the 1968 National Republican Convention. He was mentioned as a possible running mate for President Gerald Ford in 1976. Never a fan of Ronald Reagan, Evans supported Ford in 1976 and initially backed George H.W. Bush in 1980.
As a popular Republican in a predominantly Democratic state, it seemed that Evans would be a shoe-in had he decided to run for the U.S. Senate. He frequently spurned such talk, saying in 1972 that “I don’t like Washington, D.C., very well ... and I could not stand to be in the Senate.”
However, in 1983 Democratic Sen. Henry “Scoop” Jackson died in office, and Evans accepted an appointment to serve out his term. Evans opted not to stand for election in 1988, citing the “tediousness of getting decisions made.” At the time he said he was looking forward to returning home to enjoy the outdoors.
In later years Evans served as a regent at the University of Washington, his alma mater. He also served on many nonprofit and corporate boards.
“Dad lived an exceptionally full life,” his sons — Dan Jr., Mark and Bruce Evans — said in a statement quoted by The Seattle Times. “Whether serving in public office, working to improve higher education, mentoring aspiring public servants … he just kept signing up for stuff right until the end. He touched a lot of lives. And he did this without sacrificing family.”
Evans’ wife, Nancy Bell Evans, died in January at age 90.
veryGood! (91)
Related
- Chicago Bears will ruin Caleb Williams if they're not careful | Opinion
- Rudy Giuliani ordered to appear in court after missing deadline to turn over assets
- Casey and McCormick square off in Pennsylvania race that could determine Senate control
- US Rep. John Curtis is favored to win Mitt Romney’s open Senate seat in Utah
- Stocks soared on news of Trump's election. Bonds sank. Here's why.
- Florida prosecutor says suspect in deadly Halloween shooting will be charged as an adult
- Figures and Dobson are in a heated battle for a redrawn Alabama House district
- Fantasy football waiver wire: 10 players to add for NFL Week 10
- Fantasy football Week 11: Trade value chart and rest of season rankings
- Erik Menendez’s Wife Tammi Menendez Shares Plea for His Release After Resentencing Decision
Ranking
- Trading wands for whisks, new Harry Potter cooking show brings mess and magic
- Fence around While House signals unease for visitors and voters
- Justices who split on an abortion measure ruling vie to lead Arkansas Supreme Court
- Salma Hayek reimagines 'Like Water for Chocolate' in new 'complex,' 'sensual' HBO series
- Kentucky governor says investigators will determine what caused deadly Louisville factory explosion
- What It's Really Like Growing Up As First Kid in the White House
- South Dakota is deciding whether to protect abortion rights and legalize recreational marijuana
- Two Democratic leaders seek reelection in competitive races in New Mexico
Recommendation
-
'Survivor' 47, Episode 9: Jeff Probst gave players another shocking twist. Who went home?
-
Republican Mike Braun faces Republican-turned-Democrat Jennifer McCormick in Indiana governor’s race
-
Jonathan Haze, who played Seymour in 'The Little Shop of Horrors,' dies at 95: Reports
-
South Carolina forward Ashlyn Watkins has charges against her dismissed
-
Former Disney Star Skai Jackson Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby With Her Boyfriend
-
Selena Gomez, Mariska Hargitay and More Stars Who’ve Voted in 2024 U.S. Presidential Election
-
What It's Really Like Growing Up As First Kid in the White House
-
Jaw-Dropping Amazon Fashion Deals: 3 Long-Sleeve Shirts for $19, Plus Up to 69% Off Fall Styles