He was one of three governors selected to work on the Republican Coordinating Committee, which was created by the Republican Party in 1965 in an effort to reenergize the party after its drubbing at the polls in 1964. It wasn't long before Republicans outside of the state began to notice. He infuriated ultraconservatives when he denounced the state's John Birch Society early in his first term, and he had his woes with a legislature that was dominated by Democrats during his first two years in office.īut these were minor minuses, and Evans developed a reputation as a straight shooter with a steady hand. There were minuses in his first term as well. During his first term (1965-1969) he initiated a $242 million school construction program, promoted self-help ventures in the poverty-stricken Central District in Seattle, helped establish air and water pollution controls, and worked to preserve and increase recreational areas in the state. He and his family moved into the governor's mansion in January 1965.ĭespite his low-key style, Evans swiftly became known as a dynamic governor. At age 39, Evans became the youngest governor in the state's history. Evans ran for governor in 1964, and despite guarded expectations - he was not much of a glad-hander when it came to meeting crowds (during the race, a few wags nicknamed him "Old Gluefoot") - and a nationwide Democratic landslide that year, handily defeated incumbent Governor Albert Rosellini (1910-2011). He demonstrated an early ability to work well with others regardless of their political views, and later served two terms as the Republican minority floor leader. He gives a speech described by The Seattle Times as "an articulate call for change," and one that remains relevant more than 50 years later.ĭan Evans got his start in politics when he was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives in 1956. Evans, 42, is chosen to give the address to represent a new and dynamic face of the Republican Party in 1968. 1925) gives the keynote address at the Republican National Convention in Miami, Florida. On August 5, 1968, Washington Governor Daniel J.
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