Akashic EdgeAKASHIC EDGE
ElectionsCandidates
HistorianCartographer2026 ForecastArticlesAPIPricing

Latest Articles

    View all articles →

    Browse by Category

      Data Tools

      • Elections
      • Candidates
      • The Historian
      • The Cartographer
      • American Nations
      • States & Counties
      • Congressional Districts

      About

      Akashic HQ provides deep political data analysis covering 165 years of U.S. elections.

      • Data Sources & Methodology
      • Pricing
      • API Documentation
      • Contact

      © 2026 Akashic HQ. All rights reserved.

      Data: MIT Election Lab, VEST, Census Bureau
      Home/Elections/1980/Governor/Washington
      1980·Governor·Washington

      Washington Governor

      Winner
      REP
      John D. Spellman
      56.7%981,083 votes
      Runner-up
      DEM
      James A McDermott
      43.3%749,813 votes
      Margin
      R+13.4
      1,730,896 total votes
      2 candidates1,730,896 total votes
      CandidatePartyVotes ▼%Vote Share
      John D. SpellmanREP✓
      		REP981,08356.7%
      James A McDermottDEM
      		DEM749,81343.3%

      Seat History

      Governor in Washington

      2024
      Bob FergusonDEM
      D+11.2
      2020
      Jay InsleeDEM
      D+13.4
      2016
      Jay InsleeDEM
      D+8.8
      2012
      Jay InsleeDEM
      D+3.1
      2008
      Christine GregoireDEM
      D+6.5
      2004
      Christine GregoireDEM
      EVEN
      2000
      Gary LockeDEM
      D+18.7
      1996
      Gary LockeDEM
      D+15.9
      1992
      Michael E LowryDEM
      D+4.3
      1988
      Booth GardnerDEM
      D+24.4
      1984
      Booth GardnerDEM
      D+6.6
      1976
      Dixy Lee RayDEM
      D+8.7
      1972
      Daniel J. EvansREP
      R+8.0
      1968
      Daniel J. EvansREP
      R+10.4
      View all Governor history for Washington →

      Candidates

      John D. SpellmanREP
      Record1W-2L
      Avg MarginD+0.7
      Career1976-1984
      Governor
      Full profile →
      James A McDermottDEM
      Record19W-1L
      Avg MarginD+37.9
      Career1970-2014
      US House / State Senate / Governor / State House
      Full profile →

      Also in Washington, 1980

      President1 contest →US Senate1 contest →US House7 contests →
      ← All 1980 Governor races1980 overviewWashington profileAll elections