CNN
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Dan Evans, the popular Republican governor of Washington state, who went on to serve in the US Senate, died before he left in frustration because he felt the chamber was too maddened and boring. He is 98 years old.
Evans died Friday, according to the University of Washington, where he served as regent and Daniel J. The 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,” Sen. Patty Murray, Democrat of Washington, said in a statement Saturday. “We were lucky to have him — and I have no doubt that his legacy will live on for generations to come.”
Evans has been a dominant force in Washington politics for decades and, until current Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, is the only person to have been elected governor three times. In a statement posted on social platform X, Inslee said it’s hard to think of another resident who has had such a positive impact on so many aspects of the state.
“All of us, regardless of our party, can feel fortunate for the progress he has led in each of his three terms as governor,” Inslee said.
Born in Seattle in 1925, Evans was a civil engineer before entering politics. He was elected to the state legislature in 1956 and won the governorship in 1964, defeating two-term Democrat Albert D. Defeated Rossellini and prevailed in a bad year for his fellow Republicans, which saw President Lyndon Johnson defeat the GOP’s Barry Goldwater.
Known as a moderate and liberal Republican, the passionate outsider helped add new recreation and park areas to the state and supported the Clean Air and Water Act. He created the nation’s first state department of ecology, which President Richard Nixon used as a model for the Environmental Protection Agency.
Evans failed to create a state income tax. He does not want to run for a fourth term.
“Her legacy of coming together for the greater good, despite party lines, has and will continue to inspire public servants and the Evans School community,” said Jodi Sandford, dean of the school, in a statement.
Sandford recalled Evans’ quote: “It takes a two-way effort to do good things, because often what we’re trying to achieve is not partisan.”
After leaving the governor’s mansion in 1977, Evans stayed in Olympia and served as president of The Evergreen State College. Evans helped create the state school when he signed legislation authorizing liberal arts colleges, and as governor he supported the establishment of the state’s community college system.
He developed a national profile during his time leading the state and was the keynote speaker at the 1968 Republican National 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 supported George HW Bush in 1980.
As a popular Republican in a predominantly Democratic party, Evans seemed likely to be a shoe-in had he decided to run for the U.S. Senate. He often dismissed such talk, saying in 1972 that “I don’t like Washington, D.C. very much … and I couldn’t be in the Senate.”
However, in 1983, Democratic Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson died in office, and Evans accepted the nomination to serve out his term. Evans decided not to stand for election in 1988, citing “difficulty making decisions”. At that time, he said that he was eager to return home to enjoy the countryside.
In later years, Evans served as a regent at his alma mater, the University of Washington. He also served on several nonprofit and corporate boards.
“Dad lived an exceptionally full life,” his sons — Don Jr., Mark and Bruce Evans — said in the statement quoted. Via The Seattle Times.
“Be it working in a government office, working to improve higher education, mentoring aspiring civil servants…he kept signing up for things till the end. He touched many lives. And he did it without sacrificing his family.
Evans’ wife, Nancy Bell Evans, died in January at age 90.
“Friend of animals everywhere. Devoted analyst. Total alcohol scholar. Infuriatingly humble food trailblazer.”