Dan Evans, the popular three-term Republican governor of Washington state and later U.S. senator who resigned from his seat in what he found too hostile and boring a Senate, has died. He was 98 years old.
Evans, who served as a trustee of the University of Washington and whose Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance is named after him, died Friday, the university said.
“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 of our state,” Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said in a statement Saturday.
“We were all fortunate to have known him, and we have no doubt his legacy will live on for generations to come.”
Evans has been a dominant force in Washington politics for decades and, until current Gov. Jay Inslee, was the only person ever elected governor three times.
In a statement posted to social platform “X,” the Democrat 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 party, can count ourselves fortunate to have seen the progress he's made over 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 became governor in 1964, defeating incumbent Democrat Albert D. Rosellini, a year that was a poor one for the Republican Party, as President Lyndon Johnson won a landslide victory over Republican Barry Goldwater.
Known as a moderate to liberal Republican, the avid outdoorsman was instrumental in adding new recreation and park areas to the state and supported clean air and water legislation.
He created America's first state environmental department, which President Richard Nixon used as a model for the Environmental Protection Agency.
Evans also unsuccessfully pushed for a state income tax and chose not to run for a fourth term.
“His work to unite people across party lines for a cause has been and will continue to inspire public servants and the Evans School community,” Jody Sandfort, dean of the school, said in a statement.
Sandfort recalled Evans saying, “It takes a bipartisan effort to get good things done, because often what we're trying to accomplish is not partisan.”
After leaving the Governor's Mansion in 1977, Evans remained in Olympia and served as president of The Evergreen State College.
Evans helped establish a state university when he signed legislation authorizing liberal arts colleges, and as governor he also supported the creation of the state's community college system.
He gained national recognition during his time leading the state, delivering the keynote address at the 1968 Republican National Convention.
He was considered as a possible vice presidential running mate for President Gerald Ford in 1976.
Evans was not a supporter of Ronald Reagan, but backed Ford in 1976 and initially supported George H.W. Bush in 1980.
A popular Republican in a majority Democratic state, Evans was considered a sure bet to win a U.S. Senate seat if he decided to run.
He frequently rejected such talk, saying in 1972, “I don't really like Washington, D.C…. and I can't stand being a senator.”
But in 1983, Democratic Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson died in office, and Evans accepted the appointment to serve out his term.
Evans chose not to run in the 1988 election, citing “the hassle of making a decision.”
At the time, he said he was looking forward to returning home and enjoying the outdoors.
In later life, Evans served as a trustee of his alma mater, the University of Washington.
He also served on the boards of directors of numerous nonprofit organizations and corporations.
“My father lived a very full life,” his sons, Dan Jr., Mark and Bruce Evans said in a statement. Seattle Times.
“He continued to do so until the end, whether it was serving in public office, working to improve higher education, or mentoring people who wanted to become public servants. He touched so many lives. And he did it without sacrificing his family.”
Evans' wife, Nancy Bell Evans, died in January at the age of 90.
