the coMeBAcK 235
Evans’ decision created the state’s first wide open U.S. Senate race
since 1944 when Magnuson defeated Harry Cain.
Possible successors, the media reported excitedly, included every
member of the state’s congressional delegation except Foley, who was on
track to become speaker of the House. The Democratic nomination—and
election, too—was practically Governor Gardner’s for the asking, every-
one agreed, but he was a shoo-in for re-election in 1988.
Lowry and Don Bonker, the seven-term congressman from Vancouver,
soon emerged as the Democratic frontrunners. Lowry’s King County
base was formidable and he’d run statewide in 1983. Bonker had name
familiarity problems outside his district, but he was less liberal than
Lowry. He was also an expert on international trade and an evangelical
Christian. Bonker felt certain he could beat Gorton by co-opting the mid-
dle if he could get past Lowry.
Norm Dicks, a Magnuson protégé who turned out to be a lot like Jack-
son, was reluctant to risk his growing seniority on the House Appropria-
tions Committee. Congressman Al Swift of Bellingham, a former TV com-
mentator, had been poised to challenge Evans. Now he had cold feet because
he knew winning the primary would be dicey. “My reading of the field is
that there’s one I can beat, one I can’t and one that’s a toss-up.” It was easy
to deduce he was talking about Dicks, Lowry and Bonker, in that order.^12
Sid Morrison, the four-term Republican congressman from the Ya-
kima Valley, immediately formed an exploratory committee. Ralph
Munro, who loved being secretary of state, wasn’t interested. Just to be
certain his message was clear, he said so three ways: “No. Hell no. Abso-
lutely no.” Joel Pritchard had his sights set on becoming lieutenant gover-
nor. The much-admired Bill Ruckelshaus, Gorton’s old friend, was back
in Seattle after a second tour of duty heading the federal Environmental
Protection Agency, making some real money as a lawyer. John Spellman
was definitely interested, saying, “This can and should be a Republican
seat.” However, after the thumping he took from Gardner four years ear-
lier, he was damaged goods. Jennifer Dunn would run only if no other
viable candidate emerged.^13
The Seattle Times’ coverage of the shadow boxing failed to even men-
tion Gorton. Hadn’t he said only 11 months earlier that he would never
again seek elective office? The P-I at least bothered to ask. “I have no in-
tention of getting into a race for the U.S. Senate that lasts 54 weeks,”
Gorton told Connelly. On the other hand, if he bided his time and the
others fell by the wayside it might be 20 weeks shorter. He didn’t say that,
of course. What he did was call Mike McGavick.^14