View source for 1996 Washington gubernatorial election

{{Short description|none}}
{{for|related races|1996 United States gubernatorial elections}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1996 Washington gubernatorial election
| country = Washington
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1992 Washington gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1992
| next_election = 2000 Washington gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2000
| election_date = November 5, 1996
| image1 = File:Gary Locke (cropped).jpg
| image_size = 150x150px
| nominee1 = '''[[Gary Locke]]'''
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = '''1,296,492'''
| percentage1 = '''57.96%'''
| image2 = File:Ellen Craswell 1977 (cropped).jpg
| nominee2 = [[Ellen Craswell]]
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 940,538
| percentage2 = 42.04%
| map_image = 1996 Washington gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size = 275px
| map_caption = County results<br>'''Locke''': {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}<br/>'''Craswell''': {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} 
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[Mike Lowry]]
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = [[Gary Locke]]
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Elections in Washington (state) sidebar}}

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lowry Declares He's Out Of Running Surprise Announcement Throws Governor's Race Wide Open {{!}} The Spokesman-Review |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/feb/23/lowry-declares-hes-out-of-running-surprise/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=www.spokesman.com|date=February 23, 1996 }}</ref> 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]]), [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Gary Locke]].

==Primary election==
===Candidates===
====Democratic====
*Max Englerius
*[[Jay Inslee]], U.S. representative from the [[Washington's 4th congressional district|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 State Senate|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===
{{Election box begin no change
|title=Blanket primary results<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/results_report.aspx?e=16&c=&c2=&t=440&t2=&p=&p2=&y=|title=Elections Search Results September 1996 Primary|access-date=2024-08-12 |publisher=Washington Secretary of State}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Official Returns of the Washington State Primary September 17, 1996|section=Governor|author=Washington Secretary of State|location=Olympia, Washington|pages=2–4}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|candidate =[[Gary Locke]]
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|votes = 287,762
|percentage=23.65%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = [[Norm Rice]]
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|votes = 212,888
|percentage=17.50%
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|candidate = [[Ellen Craswell]]
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|votes = 185,680
|percentage = 15.26%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = [[Dale Foreman]]
|party= Republican Party (United States)
|votes = 162,615
|percentage = 13.37%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = [[Jay Inslee]]
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|votes = 118,571
|percentage = 9.75%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = [[Norm Maleng]]
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|votes = 109,088
|percentage=8.97%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = Jim Waldo
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|votes = 63,854
|percentage = 5.25%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = [[Pam Roach]]
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|votes = 29,533
|percentage = 2.43%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = Nona Brazier
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|votes = 21,237
|percentage = 1.75%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate=Brian Zetlen
|party=Democratic Party (United States)
|votes=6,152
|percentage= 0.51%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = Warren E. Hanson
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|votes = 4,886
|percentage = 0.40%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = Bob Tharp
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|votes = 4,825
|percentage = 0.40%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = Jeff Powers
|party = Socialist Workers Party (United States)
|votes = 3,742
|percentage = 0.31%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = Mohammad H. Said
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|votes = 3,007
|percentage = 0.25%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = Max Englerius
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|votes = 2,837
|percentage = 0.23%
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 1,216,677
|percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}

==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<ref>{{Cite web |title={{!}} The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives |url=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 |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=seattletimessubs.newsbank.com}}</ref>
** Cultivated an image of [[technocratic]] expertise<ref>{{Cite web |title={{!}} The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives |url=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 |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=seattletimessubs.newsbank.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title={{!}} The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives |url=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 |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=seattletimessubs.newsbank.com}}</ref>
* [[Ellen Craswell]] (R), president pro tempore of the [[Washington State Senate|Washington Senate]]
** Born-again Christian
** Campaigned on tax cuts, restructuring of state government, and an application of biblical principles to social reform<ref>{{Cite web |title={{!}} The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives |url=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 |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=seattletimessubs.newsbank.com}}</ref>
** Likened her policy positions to [[Reaganite]] conservatism, espousing a philosophy of small government, rights and freedoms, together with moral values<ref>{{Cite web |title=Craswell Has Higher Calling For Government Gop Governor Candidate Puts God In Her Campaign {{!}} The Spokesman-Review |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/sep/03/craswell-has-higher-calling-for-government-gop/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=www.spokesman.com|date=September 3, 1996 }}</ref>

=== Campaign controversies ===
* Gary Locke's race drew many donors from the Asian-American community, including local Buddhist temples.<ref>{{Cite web |title={{!}} The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives |url=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 |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=seattletimessubs.newsbank.com}}</ref> He also raised significant funds from national donors in California and New York.<ref>{{Cite web |title={{!}} The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives |url=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 |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=seattletimessubs.newsbank.com}}</ref>
* Ellen Craswell integrated [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] prayer networks with her fundraising and mobilization network,<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|252858908}} |last1=Herrington |first1=Gregg |title=CRASWELL'S CAMPAIGN IS BIG ON ORGANIZATION, NOT FUNDING |newspaper=Columbian |date=1 September 1996 }}</ref> reaching more than 1000 small donors in October, whereas Locke received large contributions from business groups and Seattle elites.<ref>{{Cite web |title={{!}} The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives |url=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 |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=seattletimessubs.newsbank.com}}</ref>
* Craswell opposed expanding school funding and suggested cutting [[English as a second or foreign language|English as a second language]] programs, delegating curriculum control to local school boards, and eliminating the superintendent of public instruction.<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|394800602}} |last1=Mapes |first1=Lynda V |title=LOCKE, CRASWELL DIFFER ON EDUCATION TOO LOCKE: INCREASE SPENDING CRASWELL: STRETCH EXISTING DOLLARS |newspaper=Spokesman Review |date=11 October 1996 |page=B.1 }}</ref>
* An independent [[political action committee]] made false claims that two sitting senators had endorsed Locke in a mailer. They later recanted.<ref>{{Cite web |title={{!}} The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives |url=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 |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=seattletimessubs.newsbank.com}}</ref>
* 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title={{!}} The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives |url=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 |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=seattletimessubs.newsbank.com}}</ref>

=== Debates ===
*[https://www.c-span.org/video/?75853-1/washington-gubernatorial-debate Complete video of debate], September 26, 1996 - [[C-SPAN]]
*[https://www.c-span.org/video/?75489-1/washington-gubernatorial-debate Complete video of debate], October 9, 1996 - [[C-SPAN]]

===Results===
{{Election box begin | title=1996 gubernatorial election<ref name="general">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/results_report.aspx?e=17&c=&c2=&t=440&t2=&p=&p2=&y=|title=Elections Search Results November 1996 General|access-date=2024-08-12 |publisher=Washington Secretary of State}}</ref><ref name="abstract">{{cite book|title=Official Returns of the State General Election November 5, 1996|section=Governor|author=Washington Secretary of State|location=Olympia, Washington|pages=10}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = [[Gary Locke]]
  |votes      = 1,296,492 
  |percentage = 57.96%
  |change     = +5.80%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = [[Ellen Craswell]]
  |votes      = 940,538   
  |percentage = 42.04%
  |change     = -5.80%
}}
{{Election box majority|
  |votes      = 355,954
  |percentage = 15.91%
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box total|
  |votes      = 2,237,030
  |percentage = 100.00%
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
  |winner     = Democratic Party (United States)
  |swing      = +11.59%
}}
{{Election box end}}

===Results by county===
This is the most recent gubernatorial election in which [[Kittitas County, Washington|Kittitas County]] voted for a Democrat.

{|class="wikitable sortable"
! style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" |County<ref name="abstract"/>
! style="text-align:center;" colspan="2" |Gary Locke<br/>Democratic
! style="text-align:center;" colspan="2" |Ellen Craswell<br/>Republican
! style="text-align:center;" colspan="2" |Margin
! style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" |Total votes cast
|- bgcolor="lightgrey"
! style="text-align:center;" data-sort-type="number" |#
! style="text-align:center;" data-sort-type="number" |%
! style="text-align:center;" data-sort-type="number" |#
! style="text-align:center;" data-sort-type="number" |%
! style="text-align:center;" data-sort-type="number" |#
! style="text-align:center;" data-sort-type="number" |%
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Adams County, Washington|Adams]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|1,829
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|40.13%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|2,729
| {{party shading/Republican}}|59.87%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-900
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-19.75%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|4,558
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Asotin County, Washington|Asotin]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|3,696
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|50.89%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|3,567
| {{party shading/Republican}}|49.11%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|129
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|1.78%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|7,263
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Benton County, Washington|Benton]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|25,899
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|48.34%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|27,682
| {{party shading/Republican}}|51.66%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-1,783
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-3.33%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|53,581
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Chelan County, Washington|Chelan]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|9,928
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|42.23%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|13,584
| {{party shading/Republican}}|57.77%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-3,656
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-15.55%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|23,512
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Clallam County, Washington|Clallam]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|14,536
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|49.31%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|14,941
| {{party shading/Republican}}|50.69%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-405
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-1.37%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|29,477
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Clark County, Washington|Clark]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|58,400
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|52.65%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|52,525
| {{party shading/Republican}}|47.35%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|5,875
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|5.30%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|110,925
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Columbia County, Washington|Columbia]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|863
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|44.10%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|1,094
| {{party shading/Republican}}|55.90%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-231
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-11.80%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|1,957
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Cowlitz County, Washington|Cowlitz]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|19,175
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|58.07%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|13,843
| {{party shading/Republican}}|41.93%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|5,332
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|16.15%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|33,018
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Douglas County, Washington|Douglas]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|4,353
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|40.27%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|6,456
| {{party shading/Republican}}|59.73%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-2,103
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-19.46%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|10,809
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Ferry County, Washington|Ferry]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|1,251
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|44.76%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|1,544
| {{party shading/Republican}}|55.24%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-293
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-10.48%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|2,795
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Franklin County, Washington|Franklin]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|5,685
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|46.66%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|6,499
| {{party shading/Republican}}|53.34%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-814
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-6.68%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|12,184
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Garfield County, Washington|Garfield]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|511
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|40.56%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|749
| {{party shading/Republican}}|59.44%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-238
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-18.89%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|1,260
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Grant County, Washington|Grant]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|8,916
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|41.04%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|12,807
| {{party shading/Republican}}|58.96%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-3,891
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-17.91%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|21,723
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Grays Harbor County, Washington|Grays Harbor]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|15,851
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|60.66%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|10,278
| {{party shading/Republican}}|39.34%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|5,573
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|21.33%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|26,129
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Island County, Washington|Island]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|14,874
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|52.59%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|13,409
| {{party shading/Republican}}|47.41%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|1,465
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|5.18%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|28,283
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Jefferson County, Washington|Jefferson]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|8,268
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|59.18%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|5,702
| {{party shading/Republican}}|40.82%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|2,566
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|18.37%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|13,970
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[King County, Washington|King]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|490,284
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|67.03%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|241,134
| {{party shading/Republican}}|32.97%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|249,150
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|34.06%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|731,418
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Kitsap County, Washington|Kitsap]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|50,121
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|54.84%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|41,275
| {{party shading/Republican}}|45.16%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|8,846
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|9.68%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|91,396
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Kittitas County, Washington|Kittitas]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|6,609
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|53.17%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|5,822
| {{party shading/Republican}}|46.83%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|787
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|6.33%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|12,431
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Klickitat County, Washington|Klickitat]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|3,337
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|49.20%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|3,445
| {{party shading/Republican}}|50.80%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-108
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-1.59%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|6,782
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Lewis County, Washington|Lewis]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|11,377
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|42.15%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|15,613
| {{party shading/Republican}}|57.85%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-4,236
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-15.69%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|26,990
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Lincoln County, Washington|Lincoln]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|1,947
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|38.92%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|3,055
| {{party shading/Republican}}|61.08%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-1,108
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-22.15%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|5,002
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Mason County, Washington|Mason]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|11,421
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|55.30%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|9,231
| {{party shading/Republican}}|44.70%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|2,190
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|10.60%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|20,652
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Okanogan County, Washington|Okanogan]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|5,489
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|42.36%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|7,468
| {{party shading/Republican}}|57.64%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-1,979
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-15.27%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|12,957
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Pacific County, Washington|Pacific]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|5,699
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|62.85%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|3,368
| {{party shading/Republican}}|37.15%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|2,331
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|25.71%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|9,067
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Pend Oreille County, Washington|Pend Oreille]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|2,308
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|46.94%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|2,609
| {{party shading/Republican}}|53.06%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-301
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-6.12%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|4,917
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Pierce County, Washington|Pierce]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|131,194
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|55.43%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|105,500
| {{party shading/Republican}}|44.57%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|25,694
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|10.86%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|236,694
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[San Juan County, Washington|San Juan]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|4,567
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|63.19%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|2,660
| {{party shading/Republican}}|36.81%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|1,907
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|26.39%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|7,227
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Skagit County, Washington|Skagit]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|21,522
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|52.81%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|19,232
| {{party shading/Republican}}|47.19%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|2,290
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|5.62%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|40,754
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Skamania County, Washington|Skamania]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|1,915
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|52.04%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|1,765
| {{party shading/Republican}}|47.96%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|150
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|4.08%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|3,680
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Snohomish County, Washington|Snohomish]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|126,425
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|57.40%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|93,827
| {{party shading/Republican}}|42.60%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|32,598
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|14.80%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|220,252
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Spokane County, Washington|Spokane]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|84,740
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|53.30%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|74,249
| {{party shading/Republican}}|46.70%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|10,491
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|6.60%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|158,989
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Stevens County, Washington|Stevens]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|6,687
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|40.62%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|9,777
| {{party shading/Republican}}|59.38%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-3,090
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-18.77%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|16,464
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Thurston County, Washington|Thurston]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|53,106
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|61.10%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|33,813
| {{party shading/Republican}}|38.90%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|19,293
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|22.20%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|86,919
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Wahkiakum County, Washington|Wahkiakum]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|1,013
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|56.47%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|781
| {{party shading/Republican}}|43.53%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|232
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|12.93%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|1,794
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Walla Walla County, Washington|Walla Walla]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|9,710
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|50.11%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|9,669
| {{party shading/Republican}}|49.89%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|41
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|0.21%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|19,379
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Whatcom County, Washington|Whatcom]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|34,679
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|54.02%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|29,517
| {{party shading/Republican}}|45.98%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|5,162
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|8.04%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|64,196
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Whitman County, Washington|Whitman]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|8,743
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|55.60%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|6,981
| {{party shading/Republican}}|44.40%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|1,762
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|11.21%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|15,724
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Yakima County, Washington|Yakima]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|29,564
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|47.76%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|32,338
| {{party shading/Republican}}|52.24%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-2,774
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-4.48%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|61,902
|-
!Totals!!1,296,492!!57.96%!!940,538!!42.04%!!355,954!!15.91%!!2,237,030
|}

==== Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic ====
*[[Asotin County, Washington|Asotin]]
*[[Clark County, Washington|Clark]]
*[[Cowlitz County, Washington|Cowlitz]]
*[[Island County, Washington|Island]]
*[[Kitsap County, Washington|Kitsap]]
*[[Mason County, Washington|Mason]]
*[[Skagit County, Washington|Skagit]]
*[[Skamania County, Washington|Skamania]]
*[[Spokane County, Washington|Spokane]]
*[[Wahkiakum County, Washington|Wahkiakum]]
*[[Walla Walla County, Washington|Walla Walla]]
*[[Whatcom County, Washington|Whatcom]]
*[[Whitman County, Washington|Whitman]]

=== 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,<ref>{{Cite web |title={{!}} The Seattle Times Subscribers Archives |url=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 |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=seattletimessubs.newsbank.com}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Atkins |first=Drew |title=The scandals of former Gov. Gary Locke {{!}} Cascade PBS |url=https://www.cascadepbs.org/2016/08/the-scandals-of-former-gov-gary-locke |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=www.cascadepbs.org |language=en}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|385994553}} |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Rachel |title=INVESTIGATORS SEEK 2ND LOOK AT LOCKE FUND-RAISING LISTS IRS REQUESTING RECORDS BACK TO '90 |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=8 August 1998 |page=B1 }}</ref> Locke testified before Congress in 2006<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-10-09 |title=The grilling of Gary Locke |url=https://www.seattleweekly.com/news/the-grilling-of-gary-locke/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Seattle Weekly |language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|2582344012}} |title=Locke campaign admits to three fund-raising violations |newspaper=Kitsap Sun |date=27 October 2015 }}</ref>

Ellen Craswell suffered from cancer immediately following the election, retired in 2005, and died in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-04-08 |title=Former state Sen. Ellen Craswell dies; she ran for governor as conservative |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/obituaries/former-state-sen-ellen-craswell-dies-she-ran-for-governor-as-conservative/ |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{1996 United States elections}}
{{Elections in Washington (state) footer}}

[[Category:1996 Washington (state) elections|Gubernatorial]]
[[Category:Washington (state) gubernatorial elections|1996]]
[[Category:1996 United States gubernatorial elections|Washington]]