1996 Washington gubernatorial election

none related races 1996 United States gubernatorial elections January 2025 September 2023 1996 Washington gubernatorial election Washington presidential no 1992 Washington gubernatorial election 1992 2000 Washington gubernatorial election 2000 November 5, 1996 File:Gary Locke (cropped).jpg 150x150px Gary Locke Democratic Party (United States) 1,296,492 57.96% File:Ellen Craswell 1977 (cropped).jpg Ellen Craswell Republican Party (United States) 940,538 42.04% 1996 Washington gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 275px County resultsLocke: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70%Craswell: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% Governor Mike Lowry Democratic Party (United States) Gary Locke Democratic Party (United States) The 1996 Washington gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1996. Though eligible for a second term, incumbent governor Mike Lowry chose not to run for reelection following a series of personal and public scandals, including allegations of sexual harassment.Lowry Declares He's Out Of Running Surprise Announcement Throws Governor's Race Wide Open The Spokesman-Review https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/feb/23/lowry-declares-hes-out-of-running-surprise/ 2024-10-19 www.spokesman.com February 23, 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. Primary election Candidates Democratic Max Englerius Jay Inslee, U.S. representative from the 4th congressional district and future governor Gary Locke, King County Executive and former state representative Norm Rice, current mayor of Seattle Mohammad H. Said Briam Zetlen Republican Nona Brazier Ellen Craswell, president pro tempore of the Washington Senate Dale Foreman, majority leader of the Washington House of Representatives Warren E. Hanson Norm Maleng, King County Prosecuting Attorney Pam Roach, state senator Bob Tharp Jim Waldo Results thumb|275px|Results by county #7996e2 Locke #DFEEFF 20–30% #bdd3ff 30–40% #51C2C2 Rice #D0F9F9 20–30% #E27F7F Craswell #FFE0EA 20–30% #fcc8cd 30–40% #FF9A50 Foreman #FFDAC1 20–30% #FFCCA9 30–40% #FFB580 40–50% #FF9A50 50–60% #5FD35F Inslee #C0F0C0 20–30% #AAE5AA 30–40% Blanket primary resultshttps://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/results_report.aspx?e=16&c=&c2=&t=440&t2=&p=&p2=&y= Elections Search Results September 1996 Primary 2024-08-12 Washington Secretary of StateOfficial Returns of the Washington State Primary September 17, 1996 Governor Washington Secretary of State Olympia, Washington 2–4 Gary Locke Democratic Party (United States) 287,762 23.65% Norm Rice Democratic Party (United States) 212,888 17.50% Ellen Craswell Republican Party (United States) 185,680 15.26% Dale Foreman Republican Party (United States) 162,615 13.37% Jay Inslee Democratic Party (United States) 118,571 9.75% Norm Maleng Republican Party (United States) 109,088 8.97% Jim Waldo Republican Party (United States) 63,854 5.25% Pam Roach Republican Party (United States) 29,533 2.43% Nona Brazier Republican Party (United States) 21,237 1.75% Brian Zetlen Democratic Party (United States) 6,152 0.51% Warren E. Hanson Republican Party (United States) 4,886 0.40% Bob Tharp Republican Party (United States) 4,825 0.40% Jeff Powers Socialist Workers Party (United States) 3,742 0.31% Mohammad H. Said Democratic Party (United States) 3,007 0.25% Max Englerius Democratic Party (United States) 2,837 0.23% 1,216,677 100.00% General election Candidates Gary Locke (D), King County Executive and former state representative Third-generation Chinese-American Campaigned on election reform, worker retraining, and the development of social services The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives https://seattletimessubs.newsbank.com/sign-up?docref=doc/news/0EB53852D5589D08%3Fsearch_terms%3DLocke%2Belection%26date_from%3D1994%26date_to%3D1997%26text%3DLocke%2520election%2520%26content_added%3D%26pub%255B0%255D%3DSTIW%26pdate%3D1996-02-27 2024-10-28 seattletimessubs.newsbank.com Cultivated an image of technocratic expertise The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives https://seattletimessubs.newsbank.com/sign-up?docref=doc/news/0EB5388ECF55EF1D%3Fsearch_terms%3DLocke%2Belection%26date_from%3D1994%26date_to%3D1997%26text%3DLocke%2520election%2520%26content_added%3D%26pub%255B0%255D%3DSTIW%26page%3D1%26pdate%3D1996-10-13 2024-10-28 seattletimessubs.newsbank.com The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives https://seattletimessubs.newsbank.com/sign-up?docref=doc/news/0EB5389B1DE76E20%3Fsearch_terms%3DLocke%2Belection%26date_from%3D1995%26date_to%3D1996%26text%3DLocke%2520election%2520%26content_added%3D%26pub%255B0%255D%3DSTIW%26page%3D2%26pdate%3D1996-11-25 2024-10-28 seattletimessubs.newsbank.com Ellen Craswell (R), president pro tempore of the Washington Senate Born-again Christian Campaigned on tax cuts, restructuring of state government, and an application of biblical principles to social reform The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives https://seattletimessubs.newsbank.com/sign-up?docref=doc/news/0EB53895CC21644C%3Fsearch_terms%3DLocke%2Belection%26date_from%3D1994%26date_to%3D1997%26text%3DLocke%2520election%2520%26content_added%3D%26pub%255B0%255D%3DSTIW%26pdate%3D1996-11-06 2024-10-28 seattletimessubs.newsbank.com Likened her policy positions to Reaganite conservatism, espousing a philosophy of small government, rights and freedoms, together with moral valuesCraswell Has Higher Calling For Government Gop Governor Candidate Puts God In Her Campaign The Spokesman-Review https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/sep/03/craswell-has-higher-calling-for-government-gop/ 2024-10-28 www.spokesman.com September 3, 1996 Campaign controversies Gary Locke's race drew many donors from the Asian-American community, including local Buddhist temples. The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives https://seattletimessubs.newsbank.com/sign-up?docref=doc/news/0EB5388C051BC6F3%3Fsearch_terms%3DLocke%2Belection%26date_from%3D1995%26date_to%3D1996%26text%3DLocke%2520election%2520%26content_added%3D%26pub%255B0%255D%3DSTIW%26page%3D2%26pdate%3D1996-10-02 2024-10-28 seattletimessubs.newsbank.com He also raised significant funds from national donors in California and New York. The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives https://seattletimessubs.newsbank.com/sign-up?docref=doc/news/0EB53893DAB2CCB0%3Fsearch_terms%3DLocke%2Belection%26date_from%3D1995%26date_to%3D1996%26text%3DLocke%2520election%2520%26content_added%3D%26pub%255B0%255D%3DSTIW%26page%3D2%26pdate%3D1996-10-31 2024-10-28 seattletimessubs.newsbank.com Ellen Craswell integrated evangelical prayer networks with her fundraising and mobilization network,252858908 Herrington Gregg CRASWELL'S CAMPAIGN IS BIG ON ORGANIZATION, NOT FUNDING Columbian 1 September 1996 reaching more than 1000 small donors in October, whereas Locke received large contributions from business groups and Seattle elites. The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives https://seattletimessubs.newsbank.com/sign-up?docref=doc/news/0EB5388FB9F7FA00%3Fsearch_terms%3DLocke%2Belection%26date_from%3D1995%26date_to%3D1996%26text%3DLocke%2520election%2520%26content_added%3D%26pub%25255B0%25255D%3DSTIW%26page%3D2%26pdate%3D1996-10-16 2024-10-28 seattletimessubs.newsbank.com Craswell opposed expanding school funding and suggested cutting English as a second language programs, delegating curriculum control to local school boards, and eliminating the superintendent of public instruction.394800602 Mapes Lynda V LOCKE, CRASWELL DIFFER ON EDUCATION TOO LOCKE: INCREASE SPENDING CRASWELL: STRETCH EXISTING DOLLARS Spokesman Review 11 October 1996 B.1 An independent political action committee made false claims that two sitting senators had endorsed Locke in a mailer. They later recanted. The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives https://seattletimessubs.newsbank.com/sign-up?docref=doc/news/0EB538866DE848ED%3Fsearch_terms%3DLocke%2Belection%26date_from%3D1995%26date_to%3D1996%26text%3DLocke%2520election%2520%26content_added%3D%26pub%25255B0%25255D%3DSTIW%26page%3D1%26pdate%3D1996-09-11 2024-10-28 seattletimessubs.newsbank.com The WA State GOP ran television ads, stating Locke's support for a harm reduction program including sex education, counseling and condom distribution provided material support for prostitution. The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives https://seattletimessubs.newsbank.com/sign-up?docref=doc/news/0EB53892464FEAB6%3Fsearch_terms%3DLocke%2Belection%26date_from%3D1995%26date_to%3D1996%26text%3DLocke%2520election%2520%26content_added%3D%26pub%25255B0%25255D%3DSTIW%26page%3D3%26pdate%3D1996-10-25 2024-10-28 seattletimessubs.newsbank.com Debates Complete video of debate, September 26, 1996 - C-SPAN Complete video of debate, October 9, 1996 - C-SPAN Results 1996 gubernatorial electionhttps://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/results_report.aspx?e=17&c=&c2=&t=440&t2=&p=&p2=&y= https://web.archive.org/web/20250501110705/https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/results_report.aspx?e=17&c=&c2=&t=440&t2=&p=&p2=&y= 2025-05-01 live Elections Search Results November 1996 General Governor Munro Ralph Ralph Munro November 5, 1996 Secretary of State of Washington February 6, 2026 Democratic Party (United States) Gary Locke 1,296,492 57.96% +5.80% Republican Party (United States) Ellen Craswell 940,538 42.04% -5.80% 2,237,030 100.00% N/A Democratic Party (United States) By county This is the most recent gubernatorial election in which Kittitas County voted for a Democrat. CountyGary LockeDemocraticEllen CraswellRepublicanMarginTotal votes cast#%#%#%Adams1,82940.13%2,72959.87%-900-19.75%4,558Asotin3,69650.89%3,56749.11%1291.78%7,263Benton25,89948.34%27,68251.66%-1,783-3.33%53,581Chelan9,92842.23%13,58457.77%-3,656-15.55%23,512Clallam14,53649.31%14,94150.69%-405-1.37%29,477Clark58,40052.65%52,52547.35%5,8755.30%110,925Columbia86344.10%1,09455.90%-231-11.80%1,957Cowlitz19,17558.07%13,84341.93%5,33216.15%33,018Douglas4,35340.27%6,45659.73%-2,103-19.46%10,809Ferry1,25144.76%1,54455.24%-293-10.48%2,795Franklin5,68546.66%6,49953.34%-814-6.68%12,184Garfield51140.56%74959.44%-238-18.89%1,260Grant8,91641.04%12,80758.96%-3,891-17.91%21,723Grays Harbor15,85160.66%10,27839.34%5,57321.33%26,129Island14,87452.59%13,40947.41%1,4655.18%28,283Jefferson8,26859.18%5,70240.82%2,56618.37%13,970King490,28467.03%241,13432.97%249,15034.06%731,418Kitsap50,12154.84%41,27545.16%8,8469.68%91,396Kittitas6,60953.17%5,82246.83%7876.33%12,431Klickitat3,33749.20%3,44550.80%-108-1.59%6,782Lewis11,37742.15%15,61357.85%-4,236-15.69%26,990Lincoln1,94738.92%3,05561.08%-1,108-22.15%5,002Mason11,42155.30%9,23144.70%2,19010.60%20,652Okanogan5,48942.36%7,46857.64%-1,979-15.27%12,957Pacific5,69962.85%3,36837.15%2,33125.71%9,067Pend Oreille2,30846.94%2,60953.06%-301-6.12%4,917Pierce131,19455.43%105,50044.57%25,69410.86%236,694San Juan4,56763.19%2,66036.81%1,90726.39%7,227Skagit21,52252.81%19,23247.19%2,2905.62%40,754Skamania1,91552.04%1,76547.96%1504.08%3,680Snohomish126,42557.40%93,82742.60%32,59814.80%220,252Spokane84,74053.30%74,24946.70%10,4916.60%158,989Stevens6,68740.62%9,77759.38%-3,090-18.77%16,464Thurston53,10661.10%33,81338.90%19,29322.20%86,919Wahkiakum1,01356.47%78143.53%23212.93%1,794Walla Walla9,71050.11%9,66949.89%410.21%19,379Whatcom34,67954.02%29,51745.98%5,1628.04%64,196Whitman8,74355.60%6,98144.40%1,76211.21%15,724Yakima29,56447.76%32,33852.24%-2,774-4.48%61,902Totals1,296,49257.96%940,53842.04%355,95415.91%2,237,030 Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Asotin Clark Cowlitz Island Kitsap Mason Skagit Skamania Spokane Wahkiakum Walla Walla Whatcom Whitman right 275px Swing by county Legend #00a1c8 Democratic — +>15% #00bdec Democratic — +12.5-15% #09ceff Democratic — +10-12.5% #4bdbff Democratic — +7.5-10% #77e3ff Democratic — +5-7.5% #aaeeff Democratic — +2.5-5% #d5f6ff Democratic — +0-2.5% #ffd5d5 Republican — +0-2.5% 275px Trend relative to the state by county Legend #00bdec Democratic — +12.5-15% #09ceff Democratic — +10-12.5% #77e3ff Democratic — +5-7.5% #aaeeff Democratic — +2.5-5% #d5f6ff Democratic — +0-2.5% #ffd5d5 Republican — +0-2.5% #ffaaaa Republican — +2.5-5% #ff8080 Republican — +5-7.5% #ff5555 Republican — +7.5-10% #ff0000 Republican — +12.5-15% 275px County flips Legend Democratic #92c5de Hold #0671b0 Flip Republican #f48882 Hold Subsequent controversies The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission opened an investigation in 1997 relating to campaign contributions received from the Chinese Americans and foreign nationals. In example, the Ling Chen Zhe Buddhist temple, The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives https://seattletimessubs.newsbank.com/sign-up?docref=doc/news/0EB5390824D73012%3Fsearch_terms%3DLocke%2Binvestigation%26text%3DLocke%2520investigation%26content_added%3D%26date_from%3D1995%26date_to%3D1997%26pub%2525255B0%2525255D%3DSTIW%26sort%3Dbst%26pub%25255B0%25255D%3DSTIW%26pdate%3D1997-11-27 2024-10-28 seattletimessubs.newsbank.com where a $5000 cash donation was accepted, returned and five $1000 donations were given in its place. Together with official campaign events held at the Harmony Palace restaurant, co-owned by a leader of the Chinese gang Ghost Shadows. In total, six fundraising events for the Locke campaign were organized by John Huang, who donated $750 personally, with similar occurrences at each one.Atkins Drew The scandals of former Gov. Gary Locke Cascade PBS https://www.cascadepbs.org/2016/08/the-scandals-of-former-gov-gary-locke 2024-12-01 www.cascadepbs.org en This investigation was subsequently picked up (as part of a probe into the 1996 campaign finance scandal) by the IRS, who requested records extending to 1990, the time of Locke's campaign for King County executive.385994553 Zimmerman Rachel INVESTIGATORS SEEK 2ND LOOK AT LOCKE FUND-RAISING LISTS IRS REQUESTING RECORDS BACK TO '90 Seattle Post-Intelligencer 8 August 1998 B1 Locke testified before Congress in 20062006-10-09 The grilling of Gary Locke https://www.seattleweekly.com/news/the-grilling-of-gary-locke/ 2024-10-28 Seattle Weekly en-US and denied knowingly accepting campaign contributions from Chinese foreign agents. In 2015, the Locke gubernatorial campaign plead guilty to breaking three campaign fundraising laws relating to the limits for individual contribution, timely reporting of contributions, and failure to deposit cash contributions.2582344012 Locke campaign admits to three fund-raising violations Kitsap Sun 27 October 2015 Ellen Craswell suffered from cancer immediately following the election, retired in 2005, and died in 2008.2008-04-08 Former state Sen. Ellen Craswell dies; she ran for governor as conservative https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/obituaries/former-state-sen-ellen-craswell-dies-she-ran-for-governor-as-conservative/ 2024-12-01 The Seattle Times en-US References Gubernatorial 1996 Washington