Dan Evans, a towering figure in Washington state politics, left an indelible mark on the state during his tenure as governor and U.S. senator. Evans, who passed away on March 25, 2023, at the age of 92, served as governor from 1965 to 1977 and as a senator from 1983 to 1989. His impact on Washington state is still felt today in five key areas: 1) Transportation: Evans oversaw the construction of Interstate 5 through Seattle and the expansion of the state’s ferry system. 2) Education: He established the Washington State Institute for Public Policy and advocated for the creation of the Washington Student Achievement Council. 3) Environment: Evans was a champion of environmental causes, including the creation of the Puget Sound Partnership and the passage of the Clean Water Act. 4) Health care: He played a key role in the creation of the Washington State Health Care Authority and the expansion of Medicaid. 5) Ethics: Evans was known for his commitment to ethical governance and established the Washington State Ethics and Campaign Finance Program.
