Daniel J. Evans
Daniel Jackson Evans (born October 16, 1925) is an American politician from Washington. He served as the 16th governor of Washington from 1965 to 1977 and as a United States senator from 1983 to 1989.
Daniel J. Evans | |
|---|---|
Official portrait c. 1965–1968 | |
| United States Senator from Washington | |
| In office September 8, 1983 – January 3, 1989 | |
| Preceded by | Henry M. Jackson |
| Succeeded by | Slade Gorton |
| 2nd President of Evergreen State College | |
| In office June 6, 1977 – September 8, 1983 | |
| Preceded by | Charles J. McCann |
| Succeeded by | Joseph D. Olander |
| Chair of the National Governors Association | |
| In office June 3, 1973 – June 2, 1974 | |
| Preceded by | Marvin Mandel |
| Succeeded by | Cal Rampton |
| 16th Governor of Washington | |
| In office January 13, 1965 – January 12, 1977 | |
| Lieutenant | John Cherberg |
| Preceded by | Albert Rosellini |
| Succeeded by | Dixy Lee Ray |
| Minority Leader of the Washington House of Representatives | |
| In office January 9, 1961 – January 11, 1965 | |
| Preceded by | August P. Mardesich |
| Succeeded by | John L. O'Brien |
| Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 43rd district | |
| In office January 14, 1957 – January 11, 1965 | |
| Preceded by | R. Mort Frayn |
| Succeeded by | Newman H. Clark |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Daniel Jackson Evans October 16, 1925 Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Nancy Bell
(m. 1959; died 2024) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Washington (BS, MS) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1943–1946 1951–1953 |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
Following his service in the United States Navy, Evans was elected to the Washington House of Representatives in 1956. He then served as Republican leader of the House before being elected governor in 1964. He was reelected twice more in 1968 and in 1972. Described as a moderate Republican, particularly on social and environmental issues, Evans supported Nelson Rockefeller for the Republican nomination for president in 1968 and refused to endorse Richard Nixon, despite giving the keynote address at that year's Republican National Convention.
Evans was considered for the Republican vice-presidential nomination in 1968 and in 1976, although he was passed over both times. In 1983, he was appointed to the United States Senate following the death of Henry M. Jackson, and was elected in a special election in November and served until 1989, declining to run again. Since the death of James L. Buckley in August 2023, he is the oldest living former senator and, as of 2024, he is the only living former Republican governor or senator from Washington.