747,825 630,613 Start date November 7, 1972 | 50.78% 42.82% | |
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Winner Daniel J Evans | ||
The Washington gubernatorial election of 1972 was held on November 7, 1972, concurrent with the United States presidential election. Incumbent Governor of Washington Daniel J. Evans, who was first elected eight years earlier, and then re-elected in 1968, was eligible for re-election, as Washington does not have gubernatorial term limits. During that time, the state used a blanket primary system – which is when all candidates appear on the same ballot and the two candidates receiving the most votes advance to the general election, regardless of political party.
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A total of nine candidates filed for the primary on September 19. In the general election, incumbent Republican Governor Evans was challenged by former Governor Albert Rosellini, who ran as a Democrat. Evans and Rosellini received 24.66% and 30.27% of the votes in the primary, respectively. Future serial killer Ted Bundy served as a staff member of Evans' re-election campaign. On election day, Evans defeated Rosellini by a comfortable margin of 50.78%-42.82%.