Pasayten's Methow Valley Bulletin Board

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.

Dan Evans, three-term Washington governor and U.S. senator, dies at 98
Story by Shawn Garrett • 3h • 3 min read

Dan Evans, a popular three-term Republican governor of Washington who later served in the U.S. Senate, has died at the age of 98, the University of Washington confirmed Friday.

Evans, who left a lasting mark on state and national politics, passed away after a decades-long exceptional career in public service.

Evans, a Seattle native and civil engineer by training, first entered politics in 1956 when he was elected to the state Legislature.


He won the governorship in 1964, defeating Democratic incumbent Albert D. Rosellini. Evans’ three terms in office, from 1965 to 1977, made him one of Washington’s most prominent political figures.

He was the first person elected to serve three terms as governor, a feat unmatched until current Gov. Jay Inslee.


Known for his moderate to liberal Republican views, Evans was an advocate for environmental protection, leading the creation of the nation’s first state Department of Ecology, a model for the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

His efforts to expand state park areas and introduce clean air and water legislation left a significant environmental legacy.

In a statement quoted by the Seattle Times, his sons Dan Jr., Mark, and Bruce Evans reflected on his legacy: “Dad lived an exceptionally full life… He touched a lot of lives. And he did this without sacrificing family.”

Evans’ time as governor was marked by efforts to modernize the state’s infrastructure and educational system.

He signed legislation that created The Evergreen State College and supported the founding of Washington’s community college system.


He also made an unsuccessful attempt to introduce a state income tax.

Following his time as governor, Evans served as president of The Evergreen State College before accepting an appointment to the U.S. Senate in 1983, filling the seat left vacant by the death of Democratic Sen. Henry “Scoop” Jackson.

Though Evans had previously expressed disinterest in Washington, D.C. politics, he agreed to complete Jackson’s term.

Still, he chose not to run for re-election in 1988, citing frustration with the Senate’s slow pace and rancor.

In his later years, Evans remained active in public life, serving as a regent at the University of Washington, his alma mater, and on various nonprofit and corporate boards.

Both candidates for Governor also released statements on the passing of the former governor.

Dave Reichert
“I am saddened by the news that Governor Dan Evans has passed. Dan was a guiding light for those of us in service who sought to work with others, regardless of ideology or party, to get things done for Washingtonians. Keeping Washington clean, green, and pristine was a passion for Governor Evans and I was honored to work with him during my time in Congress to preserve our natural beauty for future generations. He was a titan of Washington politics and will be greatly missed. My prayers are with his family as they mourn this tremendous loss.”

Bob Ferguson
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a Washington legend: former Governor Dan Evans. Evans was more than a Senator, Governor, and civic leader; he was a Washingtonian, always putting the people, places, and institutions of his state ahead of political party and personal ambition. His legacy is seen today in the forests and mountains he helped protect, in the communities and economies he helped prosper, and in his beloved University of Washington, which he helped transform into a global higher education leader.

“The term ‘Dan Evans Republican’ became shorthand for his style of leadership– moderate, pragmatic, and always putting the interests of Washington first. I grew up with parents who were truly in this mold, hosting fundraisers for Evans early in his career and true believers in his approach. I learned from them– and from him– many of the values I have sought to bring to my own public service.

“We mourn his loss as a state, but know that in his decades of dedication and service to the people of our state, he leaves a durable foundation. We are grateful not only for Dan Evans’ leadership, but the way he led. Our thoughts are with his family as we reflect upon and celebrate his innumerable accomplishments for the people of Washington state.”