1986 United States Senate election in Washington

The 1986 United States Senate election in Washington was held on November 3, 1986. Incumbent Republican Senator Slade Gorton lost re-election to former Transportation Secretary Brock Adams. Gorton later won Washington's other Senate seat in 1988 and 1994 before losing re-election again in 2000. As of 2024 this is the last time anyone other than Patty Murray won this senate seat.

1986 United States Senate election in Washington

November 3, 1986

Nominee Brock Adams Slade Gorton Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 677,471 650,931 Percentage 50.66% 48.67%

County results Adams:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Gorton:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Slade Gorton Republican Elected U.S. Senator Brock Adams Democratic

Blanket primary

Candidates

Democratic

• Brock Adams, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation
• Orin O. Osborn
• James Sherwood Stokes

Republican

• Slade Gorton, incumbent U.S. Senator
• George Campbell
• Ted Parker Fix

Washington Taxpayer

• Jill Fein

Results

Blanket primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Slade Gorton (incumbent)	291,735	46.36%
	Democratic	Brock Adams	287,258	45.64%
	Socialist Workers	Jill Fein	2,240	0.36%
	Republican	George Campbell	12,608	2.00%
	Republican	Orin O. Osborn	8,378	1.33%
	Democratic	James Sherwood Stokes	7,134	1.13%
	Republican	Ted Parker Fix	5,154	0.82%
Total votes			614,507	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Brock Adams (D), former U.S. Secretary of Transportation
• Slade Gorton (R), incumbent U.S. Senator

Results

1986 United States Senate election in Washington

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Brock Adams	677,471	50.66%
	Republican	Slade Gorton (incumbent)	650,931	48.67%
	Socialist Workers	Jill Fein	8,965	0.67%
Total votes			1,337,367	100.00%
	Democratic gain from Republican

See also

• 1986 United States Senate elections