# 1983 United States Senate special election in Washington

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The 1983 United States Senate special election in Washington was a special election held to fill the seat which had been held by longtime Senator Henry Jackson, who unexpectedly died on September 1. Three-term former Governor Dan Evans was appointed by Governor John Spellman on September 8, and he won the special election over congressman Mike Lowry on November 8. Jackson had won a sixth term the previous year, so more than five years remained in the term.
The legislature ordered a primary election on October 11; it featured 33 candidates (19 Democrats, 13 Republicans, and one Socialist Labor), setting the modern record for number of candidates in a Washington U.S. Senate election.
As of 2024, this was the last time King County voted for a Republican U.S. Senate candidate. This was the first time since 1923 that Republicans held both Senate seats in the state.

## Blanket primary
### Candidates
#### Democratic

* Mike Lowry, U.S. Representative from the 7th congressional district
* Charles Royer, Mayor of Seattle
* James R.F. Curdy
* Mike Olmer

#### Republican

* Daniel J. Evans, incumbent U.S. Senator
* Lloyd E. Cooney, former KIRO-TV commentator
* Larry Penberthy

### Results

Blanket primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Daniel J. Evans (incumbent) | 250,046 | 36.68% |
| | Democratic | Mike Lowry | 179,509 | 26.33% |
| | Republican | Lloyd E. Cooney | 133,799 | 19.63% |
| | Democratic | Charles Royer | 103,304 | 15.15% |
| | Republican | Larry Penberthy | 1,642 | 0.24% |
| | Democratic | James R.F. Curdy | 1,206 | 0.18% |
| | Democratic | Mike Olmer | 1,032 | 0.15% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 670,538 | 100.00% |

## General election
### Candidates

* Daniel J. Evans (R), incumbent U.S. Senator
* Mike Lowry (D), U.S. Representative from the 7th congressional district

### Results

1983 Washington United States Senate special election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Daniel J. Evans (incumbent) | 672,326 | 55.41 |
| | Democratic | Mike Lowry | 540,981 | 44.59 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,213,307 | 100.00% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |