2000 United States Senate election in Washington

none March 2026 September 2023 2000 United States Senate election in Washington Washington presidential no 75.46% 1994 United States Senate election in Washington 1994 2006 United States Senate election in Washington 2006 November 7, 2000 150x150px Maria Cantwell, official portrait, 110th Congress (cropped).jpg Maria Cantwell Democratic Party (United States) 1,199,437 48.73% Slade Gorton, official Senate photo portrait.jpg Slade Gorton Republican Party (United States) 1,197,208 48.64% File:2000 United States Senate election in Washington results map by county.svg 275px County resultsCantwell: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60%Gorton: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% U.S. Senator Slade Gorton Republican Party (United States) Maria Cantwell Democratic Party (United States) The 2000 United States Senate election in Washington was held on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Slade Gorton was seeking reelection to a third consecutive term, and a fourth overall, but he was unseated for a second time by a very narrow margin (the first time being in 1986) by former Congresswoman Maria Cantwell. The race was the most expensive contest in the state's history at the time.Ayres Jr B. Drummond October 19, 2000 THE 2000 CAMPAIGN; CAMPAIGN BRIEFING en-US 31 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/19/us/the-2000-campaign-campaign-briefing.html 2021-10-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20211004042742/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/19/us/the-2000-campaign-campaign-briefing.html October 4, 2021 0362-4331 By a margin of 0.09%, this election was the closest race of the 2000 Senate election cycle. Cantwell's victory was credited to her strength in the Puget Sound suburbs of Seattle, where she performed well. The campaign proved an expensive affair, with Cantwell spending almost $10 million of her own money she made at RealNetworks on her campaign.Egan Timothy November 23, 2000 Cantwell Declared Washington Victor en-US 24 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/23/us/cantwell-declared-washington-victor.html October 4, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211004042744/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/23/us/cantwell-declared-washington-victor.html October 4, 2021 0362-4331 Maria Cantwell's inauguration on January 3, 2001 marked the first time since 1981 that Democrats held both Senate seats from Washington. This is the last time a U.S. senator from Washington lost re-election. Blanket primary Democratic Maria Cantwell, former U.S. Representative from Washington's 1st congressional district Deborah Senn, Washington Insurance Commissioner Barbara Lampet, retired nurse, longtime Democratic PCO, and perennial candidate. Two major Democratic candidates entered the Senate race: Cantwell, a former member of Congress, and Senn, Washington's insurance commissioner. Cantwell was generally considered the more moderate of the two, and touted her private sector success in Seattle's booming technology industry. Senn was considered as a populist, and campaigned as a staunch critic of the insurance industry.Searcey Dionne September 14, 2000 Cantwell, Senn contrast in style, share views https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20000914&slug=4042411 https://web.archive.org/web/20211004042742/https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20000914&slug=4042411 October 4, 2021 October 4, 2021 The Seattle TimesAmmons David August 27, 2000 U.S. SENATE: Deborah Senn https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2000/08-27/0016_u_s__senate__deborah_senn.html https://web.archive.org/web/20211004042746/https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2000/08-27/0016_u_s__senate__deborah_senn.html October 4, 2021 October 4, 2021 The Kitsap Sun Republican Slade Gorton, incumbent U.S. Senator Warren E. Hanson, commercial fisherman Libertarian Jeff Jared, attorney Polling {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;" |- valign=bottom ! Poll source ! Date(s)administered ! SamplesizeKey:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear "Key" ! Marginof error ! style="width:100px;"| SladeGorton (R) ! style="width:100px;"| MariaCantwell (D) ! style="width:100px;"| DeborahSenn (D) ! Other/Undecided |- |style="text-align:left;"|Elway Pollhttps://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/15/us/democrats-hopeful-in-a-washington-race.html Democrats Hopeful in a Washington Race Sam Howe Verhovek August 15, 2000 NYTimes.com |July 2000 |400 (RV) |– ||42% ||21% |12% |25% Results thumb|275px|Results by county: #e27f7f Gorton #FFC8CD 30–40% #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #7996e2 Cantwell #bdd3ff 30–40% #a5b0ff 40–50% Blanket primary resultsElections Search Results - September 2000 Primary https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/results_report.aspx?e=18&c=&c2=&t=&t2=1&p=&p2=&y= May 9, 2022 Office of the Secretary of State Slade Gorton (incumbent) Republican Party (United States) 560,787 43.57% Maria Cantwell Democratic Party (United States) 472,609 36.71% Deborah Senn Democratic Party (United States) 168,110 13.06% Warren E. Hanson Republican Party (United States) 17,782 1.38% Jeff Jared Libertarian Party (United States) 16,247 1.26% Barbara Lampert Democratic Party (United States) 15,150 1.18% Robert Tilden Medley Democratic Party (United States) 14,009 1.09% Ken McCandless Republican Party (United States) 12,089 0.94% June Riggs Republican Party (United States) 10,455 0.81% 1,287,238 100.00% General election In the general election, Cantwell campaigned as a modern candidate with experience in high tech who understood the modern economy; she accused Gorton of offering "19th-century solutions to 21st-century problems". Gorton criticized Cantwell for spending millions on her own campaign, arguing she was trying to buy her way into the Senate. Candidates Maria Cantwell (D), former U.S. Representative from WA-01 Slade Gorton (R), incumbent U.S. Senator Debates Complete video of debate, October 30, 2000 Endorsements Slade Gorton (R) 50em State senators Tim Sheldon, LD-35 (1997–2023) (Democratic)https://www.heraldnet.com/2000/11/12/sheldons-decision-allows-democrats-to-maintain-slim-majority/ Sheldon’s decision allows Democrats to maintain slim majority Archive Imports November 13, 2000 Maria Cantwell (D) 50em Newspapers The Seattle Timeshttps://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/mike-mcgavick-for-us-senate/ https://web.archive.org/web/20240708041912/https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/mike-mcgavick-for-us-senate/ 2024-07-08 live Mike McGavick for U.S. Senate We endorsed Cantwell six years ago... Editorial Board The Seattle Times October 22, 2006 The Seattle Times November 14, 2025 subscription Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error SladeGorton (R) MariaCantwell (D) Other/UndecidedSurveyUSAhttps://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/pollster-ratings/surveyusa/ Pollster Ratings - SurveyUSA Nate Silver March 25, 2021 June 24, 2022 June 30, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220630160118/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/pollster-ratings/surveyusa/ deadOctober 31 – November 1, 2000500 (LV)–48%46%6%Elway Pollhttps://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/pollster-ratings/elway-research/ Pollster Ratings - Elway Research Nate Silver March 25, 2021 January 3, 2022 May 22, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220522201010/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/pollster-ratings/elway-research/ deadOctober 18–20, 2000400 (RV)–48%45%7% Results The victor of the race was at first unclear due to the amount of absentee ballots; the certified count on November 22 reported that Cantwell was ahead by 1,953 votes.Associated Press December 2, 2000 Recount Seals Senate Race In Washington For Democrat 8 New York Times Associated Press https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/02/us/recount-seals-senate-race-in-washington-for-democrat.html February 9, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210210165837/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/02/us/recount-seals-senate-race-in-washington-for-democrat.html February 10, 2021 Following the recount, Cantwell was certified the winner of the election by 2,229 votes out of more than 2.4 million.Ammons David December 2, 2000 CAMPAIGN 2000: U.S. Senate Race: It's final: Cantwell defeats Gorton https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2000/12-02/0065_campaign_2000__u_s__senate_race__.html https://web.archive.org/web/20210214140832/https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2000/12-02/0065_campaign_2000__u_s__senate_race__.html February 14, 2021 February 9, 2021 Kitsap Sun Cantwell carried only five of the state's 39 counties, but won King County (home to Seattle) by more than a 150,000-vote margin. The result was the second loss in Gorton's political career, after he lost re-election to a second Senate term in 1986. Approximately 26,000 ballots were rejected during the recount for various issues.McCarthy Sean L. December 10, 2000 Every vote counts? Not really https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2000/12-10/0029_election__every_vote_counts__not_.html Kitsap Sun November 22, 2022 2000 United States Senate election in Washingtonhttps://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/results_report.aspx?e=20&c=&c2=&t=985&t2=&p=&p2=&y= Elections Search Results November 2000 General U. S. Senator Munro Ralph Ralph Munro November 7, 2000 Secretary of State of Washington January 21, 2026 Democratic Party (United States) Maria Cantwell 1,199,437 48.73% +4.48% Republican Party (United States) Slade Gorton (incumbent) 1,197,208 48.64% -7.11% Libertarian Party (United States) Jeff Jared 64,734 2.63% N/A 2,461,379 100.00% N/A Democratic Party (United States) Republican Party (United States) By county +County resultsCountySlade Gorton RepublicanMaria Cantwell DemocraticJeff Jared LibertarianMarginTotal votes#%#%#%#%Adams3,54271.74%1,32826.90%671.36%-2,214-44.85%4,937Asotin4,91762.27%2,78935.32%1902.41%-2,128-26.95%7,896Benton40,31467.96%17,85830.10%1,1511.94%-22,456-37.85%59,323Chelan17,95868.47%7,75829.58%5131.96%-10,200-38.89%26,229Clallam17,47054.85%13,20241.45%1,1803.70%-4,268-13.40%31,852Clark69,26552.31%58,97144.53%4,1873.16%-10,294-7.77%132,423Columbia1,59075.86%46722.28%391.86%-1,123-53.58%2,096Cowlitz19,19152.58%16,27144.58%1,0372.84%-2,920-8.00%36,499Douglas8,55471.33%3,17726.49%2612.18%-5,377-44.84%11,992Ferry1,91863.38%99632.91%1123.70%-922-30.47%3,026Franklin9,19066.24%4,44532.04%2391.72%-4,745-34.20%13,874Garfield1,01376.57%28421.47%261.97%-729-55.10%1,323Grant16,36169.18%6,76828.62%5222.21%-9,593-40.56%23,651Grays Harbor13,38651.98%11,44944.46%9193.57%-1,937-7.52%25,754Island17,24952.75%14,67644.88%7772.38%-2,573-7.87%32,702Jefferson6,64742.28%8,64755.00%4282.72%2,00012.72%15,722King306,25139.11%459,60558.69%17,2002.20%153,35419.58%783,056Kitsap49,78648.54%49,62748.38%3,1593.08%-159-0.16%102,572Kittitas8,10457.78%5,59839.91%3242.31%-2,506-17.87%14,026Klickitat4,51156.56%3,21440.30%2513.15%-1,297-16.26%7,976Lewis19,90466.84%8,84329.70%1,0313.46%-11,061-37.14%29,778Lincoln3,71871.42%1,37926.49%1092.09%-2,339-44.93%5,206Mason11,11849.97%10,26846.15%8643.88%-850-3.82%22,250Okanogan10,00667.94%4,25328.88%4683.18%-5,753-39.06%14,727Pacific4,67449.89%4,34846.41%3463.69%-326-3.48%9,368Pend Oreille3,22659.41%1,99436.72%2103.87%-1,232-22.69%5,430Pierce129,67448.84%127,64448.08%8,1923.09%-2,030-0.76%265,510San Juan3,36240.46%4,72956.91%2192.64%1,36716.45%8,310Skagit24,04753.51%19,62843.68%1,2622.81%-4,419-9.83%44,937Skamania2,13252.41%1,71742.21%2195.38%-415-10.20%4,068Snohomish119,33947.85%123,11149.36%6,9402.78%3,7721.51%249,390Spokane93,63354.62%73,56542.91%4,2282.47%-20,068-11.71%171,426Stevens11,48964.14%5,79232.34%6303.52%-5,697-31.81%17,911Thurston42,80444.36%50,43652.26%3,2633.38%7,6327.91%96,503Wahkiakum1,10557.19%76239.44%653.36%-343-17.75%1,932Walla Walla13,52863.83%7,24934.20%4161.96%-6,279-29.63%21,193Whatcom36,14450.66%33,30846.68%1,8962.66%-2,836-3.97%71,348Whitman9,28157.66%6,51640.48%3001.86%-2,765-17.18%16,097Yakima40,80759.08%26,76538.75%1,4942.16%-14,042-20.33%69,066Totals1,197,20848.64%1,199,43748.73%64,7342.63%2,2290.09%2,461,379 Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Snohomish (largest city: Everett) Thurston (largest city: Lacey) Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Pacific (largest city: Raymond) right 275px Swing by county Legend #00a1c8 Democratic — +>15% #00bdec Democratic — +12.5-15% #09ceff Democratic — +10-12.5% #4bdbff Democratic — +7.5-10% #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% #d40000 Republican — +>15% 275px Trend relative to the state by county Legend #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% #ff2a2a Republican — +10-12.5% #ff0000 Republican — +12.5-15% #d40000 Republican — +>15% 275px County flips Legend Democratic #92c5de Hold #0671b0 Flip Republican #f48882 Hold #ca0120 Flip Aftermath After her victory, Cantwell announced that there was only "One Washington"; she also said she would work to make sure the entire state benefited from the Puget Sound region's prosperity, and that each year she would visit each of the state's 39 counties, interpreted as a gesture to the counties which she had lost. Her victory meant that both of Washington's senators were female (the other being Patty Murray); it was at that time one of three states to hold the distinction, along with California and Maine. Cantwell also became the thirteenth woman to serve in the Senate at the same time. Cantwell's election also meant that Democrats and Republicans would have a 50–50 tie in the Senate. At the time the race was called, it was still unclear whether Dick Cheney or Joe Lieberman would be Vice President and thus cast the tie-breaking vote. At the time, it was noted that if the Gore-Lieberman ticket were victorious, then Connecticut's Republican governor would appoint Senator Lieberman's replacement, thereby giving Republicans a majority in the chamber; if the Bush-Cheney ticket were elected (the ultimate outcome), with Cantwell the winner of her race, there would be a tie in the chamber. In a January 2002 appearance on C-SPAN's Booknotes, Ralph Nader (the 2000 Green Party presidential nominee) stated that when he met with Democratic Senator Harry Reid after the election, Reid had credited his candidacy with aiding Cantwell's victory; Nader had received 103,000 votes in the state, and since the party didn't run a Senate candidate, his supporters backed Cantwell down the ballot. Crashing the Party https://www.c-span.org/video/?168072-1/crashing-party February 9, 2021 Booknotes Brian Lamb C-SPAN February 4, 2002 20:40 And I met with Senator Harry Reid, the number two Democrat in the Senate. And he acknowledged that the Green spillover votes elected Maria Cantwell. She won by 2,300 votes. I got 103,000 in Washington state, and there was no Green Party Senate candidate. And these folks were overwhelmingly for her. English See also 2000 United States presidential election in Washington (state) 2000 United States Senate elections Notes References External links Official campaign websites (archived) Maria Cantwell (D) for Senate Deborah Senn (D) for Senate Slade Gorton (R) for Senate collapsed 2000 Category:Contested elections in the United States Washington United States Senate