1996 Washington gubernatorial election

The state of Washington holds its gubernatorial election every fourth year, concurrent with the United States presidential election. This election took place on November 5, 1996. This gubernatorial race was especially significant in that it resulted in the first Asian American governor in the mainland United States (after George Ariyoshi of island state Hawaii), Democrat Gary Locke.

1996 Washington gubernatorial election

November 5, 1996

Nominee Gary Locke Ellen Craswell Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,296,492 940,538 Percentage 58.0% 42.0%

County results Locke:      50–60%      60–70% Craswell:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Mike Lowry Democratic Elected Governor Gary Locke Democratic

Though eligible for a second term, incumbent governor Mike Lowry chose not to run for reelection due to allegations of sexual harassment.

Primary election

1996 Washington gubernatorial jungle primary[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Gary Locke	287,762	23.65%
	Democratic	Norm Rice	212,888	17.50%
	Republican	Ellen Craswell	185,680	15.26%
	Republican	Dale Foreman	162,615	13.37%
	Democratic	Jay Inslee	118,571	9.75%
	Republican	Norm Maleng	109,088	8.97%
	Republican	Jim Waldo	63,584	5.25%
	Republican	Pam Roach	29,533	2.43%
	Republican	Nona Brazier	21,237	1.75%
	Democratic	Brian Zetlen	6,152	0.51%
	Republican	Warren E. Hanson	4,886	0.40%
	Republican	Bob Tharp	4,825	0.40%
	Socialist Workers	Jeff Powers	3,742	0.31%
	Democratic	Mohammad H. Said	3,007	0.25%
	Democratic	Max Englerius	2,837	0.23%
Total votes			101,691	100%

General election

1996 gubernatorial election[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Gary Locke	1,296,492	57.96
	Republican	Ellen Craswell	940,538	42.04
Total votes			2,237,030	100.00
	Democratic hold

References

1. "Election Search Results - Elections & Voting - WA Secretary of State". www.sos.wa.gov. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
2. http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/results_report.aspx?e=17&c=&c2=&t=&t2=&p=&p2=&y=