SEATTLE—Dan Evans, a beloved three-term Republican governor of Washington state who later served in the U.S. Senate before leaving due to his dissatisfaction with the chamber’s contentious and monotonous atmosphere, has passed away at the age of 98.
Evans passed away on Friday, as confirmed by the University of Washington, where he had been a regent and where the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance is named in his honor.
“Dad led an incredibly fulfilling life,” his sons—Dan Jr., Mark, and Bruce Evans—stated in a written message quoted by The Seattle Times. “Whether in public office, striving to enhance higher education, mentoring aspiring public servants … he continued to take on new challenges right until the end. He impacted many lives. And he did all of this without neglecting his family.”
Evans was a prominent figure in Washington politics for many years and, until the current Governor Jay Inslee, he was the only individual to be elected governor three times.
Born in Seattle in 1925, Evans was a civil engineer before entering the political arena. He was elected to the state Legislature in 1956 and won the governorship in 1964, defeating the incumbent two-term Democrat Albert D. Rosellini in a year that was challenging for his fellow Republicans, as President Lyndon Johnson decisively defeated the GOP’s Barry Goldwater.
Recognized as a moderate to liberal Republican, the enthusiastic outdoorsman played a significant role in establishing new recreational and park areas in the state and supporting legislation for clean air and water. He established the nation’s first state Department of Ecology, which served as a model for the Environmental Protection Agency under President Richard Nixon.
Evans also made efforts to establish a state income tax, although his endeavors were unsuccessful. He chose not to seek a fourth term.
Upon leaving the governor’s office in 1977, Evans remained in Olympia, serving as the president of The Evergreen State College. Evans played a role in the establishment of the state college when he signed legislation authorizing the liberal arts institution, and as governor, he also supported the creation of the state’s community college system.
During his tenure leading the state, Evans gained national recognition and served as the keynote speaker at the 1968 National Republican Convention. He was considered as a potential running mate for President Gerald Ford in 1976. Despite not being a supporter of Ronald Reagan, Evans backed Ford in 1976 and initially supported George H.W. Bush in 1980.
As a popular Republican figure in a predominantly Democratic state, it appeared that Evans would have a clear path to the U.S. Senate if he chose to run. He frequently dismissed such speculation, stating 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 Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson passed away while in office, and Evans accepted an appointment to complete his term. Evans decided not to run for election in 1988, citing the “tediousness of making decisions.” He expressed his eagerness to return home and enjoy the outdoors at that time.
In his later years, Evans served as a regent at the University of Washington, his alma mater. He also sat on numerous nonprofit and corporate boards.
