Dan Evans, former Washington governor and senator, dies at 98

Dan Evans, the former governor of Washington who also served in the Senate, died Friday night at his home in Seattle at the age of 98.

Evans was a popular three-term Republican governor. He served as governor from 1965 to 1977 and went on to serve in the Senate from 1983 to 1989. He left office out of frustration with the chamber for being too rancorous, The Associated Press (AP)reported.

The University of Washington, where Evans served as a regent and had a public policy college named after him, announced his death Friday.

“Daniel J. Evans, former Washington state governor, legislator, college president, U.S. senator and our school’s namesake, will forever remain one of Washington state’s most distinguished leaders,” Jodi Sandfort, dean of the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, said in a statement.

Evans was known as a moderate Republican and avid outdoorsman. Sandfort said his legacy will be for “coming together for the greater good, despite party lines,” the AP reported.

Until current Gov. Jay Inslee (D), Evans was the only person to be elected governor three times. In a post on the social platform X, Inslee said it’s difficult to think of another Washingtonian who “had such a positive impact.”

“We all, no matter our party, can feel fortunate for the progress he led during each of his three terms as governor,” Inslee said.

Evans was twice considered for the vice presidency by former President Ford, The New York Times reported.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, who died in February.