1992 United States Senate election in Washington

The 1992 United States Senate election in Washington was held on November 3, 1992. Incumbent Democratic Senator Brock Adams chose not to run for re-election to a second term after eight different women made allegations that he had engaged in various acts of sexual misconduct, including harassment and rape.[1] Adams denied the allegations, but his popularity statewide was weakened considerably by them, and he chose to retire rather than risk costing the party his seat.

1992 United States Senate election in Washington

← 1986 November 3, 1992 1998 →
 
Nominee Patty Murray Rod Chandler
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,197,973 1,020,829
Percentage 53.99% 46.01%

County results
Murray:      50–60%      60–70%
Chandler:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Brock Adams
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Patty Murray
Democratic

State Senator Patty Murray defeated Republican U.S. Representative Rod Chandler in the race to succeed Adams. Chandler seemed to have the upper hand in one of the debates until, for some unknown reason, he quoted the Roger Miller song "Dang Me."[2] He was further damaged by the unpopularity of President George H. W. Bush in the Pacific Northwest.

Blanket primary

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Candidates

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Democratic

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Independent

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  • LaPriel C. Barnes

Republican

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Socialist Workers

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  • Mark Severs

Washington Taxpayers

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Results

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1992 U.S. Senate primary[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Patty Murray 318,455 28.32%
Republican Rod Chandler 228,083 20.28%
Democratic Don Bonker 208,321 18.52%
Republican Leo K. Thorsness 185,498 16.49%
Republican Tim Hill 128,232 11.40%
Democratic Gene D. Hart 15,894 1.41%
Democratic Marshall 11,659 1.04%
Washington Taxpayers William Cassius Goodloe 10,877 0.97%
Democratic Jeffery Brian Venezia 7,259 0.65%
Independent LaPriel C. Barnes 7,044 0.63%
Socialist Workers Mark Severs 3,309 0.29%
Total votes 1,124,631 100.00%

General election

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Results

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1992 United States Senate election in Washington[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Patty Murray 1,197,973 53.99%
Republican Rod Chandler 1,020,829 46.01%
Total votes 2,218,802 100.0%
Democratic hold

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Boardman, D.; Gilmore, S.; Nalder, E.; Pryne, E. (March 1, 1992). "8 More Women Accuse Adams--Allegations of Two Decades of Sexual Harassment, Abuse - And a Rape". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 3, 2009.
  2. ^ Cantwell snubs McGavick on debates By Joel Connelly Seattle Post-Intelligencer
  3. ^ "Elections Search Results - September 1992 Primary". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  4. ^ "Election Search Results - Elections & Voting - WA Secretary of State".