1980 Washington gubernatorial election

1980 Washington gubernatorial election

← 1976 November 4, 1980 1984 →
 
Nominee John Spellman Jim McDermott
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 981,083 749,813
Percentage 56.68% 43.32%

County results
Spellman:      50–60%      60–70%
McDermott:      50–60%

Governor before election

Dixy Lee Ray
Democratic

Elected Governor

John Spellman
Republican

The 1980 Washington gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980. Incumbent Democratic governor Dixy Lee Ray ran for a second term, but lost in the primary to State Representative Jim McDermott. McDermott was defeated in the general election by Republican candidate John Spellman, the King County Executive. As of 2024, this is the last time a Republican was elected Governor of Washington, thus beginning the longest streak for Democrats holding any of the 50 state governorships once Spellman left office.