Biggest governor landslides in Washington
The biggest landslide in a Washington governor’s race was in 1936, a margin of 41.2 points. Clarence D. Martin beat Roland H. Hartley, 466,550 to 189,141. Next widest are 1908 (29.6 points) and 1988 (24.4 points).
Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race Washington has held, special elections included, see the Washington governor hub.
What is the biggest landslide in a Washington governor’s race?
The widest margin in a Washington gubernatorial general election came in 1936, 41.2 points. Clarence D. Martin beat Roland H. Hartley, 466,550 to 189,141. Next are 1908 (29.6 points) and 1988 (24.4 points).
Why do some huge wins not appear?
A blowout only counts here when somebody real finished second, which means at least 5% of the vote. Without that rule the list fills with uncontested races and with contests where the record is simply missing the major opponent, both of which show the winner near 100%.
Does this include recalls and special elections?
No, only regular general elections for governor. The Washington governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1936 | Clarence D. Martin D def. Roland H. Hartley R | 466,550 – 189,141 | +41.2 points |
| 2 | 1908 | Samuel G. Cosgrove R def. John Pattison D | 110,190 – 58,126 | +29.6 points |
| 3 | 1988 | Booth Gardner D def. Bob Williams R | 1,166,448 – 708,481 | +24.4 points |
| 4 | 1924 | Roland H. Hartley R def. Ben F. Hill D | 220,162 – 126,447 | +24.0 points |
| 5 | 1932 | Clarence D. Martin D def. John Arthur Gellatly R | 352,215 – 207,497 | +23.5 points |
| 6 | 1920 | Louis F. Hart R def. Robert Bridges D | 210,662 – 121,371 | +22.4 points |
| 7 | 2000 | Gary Locke D def. John Carlson R | 1,441,973 – 980,060 | +18.7 points |
| 8 | 1996 | Gary Locke D def. Ellen Craswell R | 1,296,492 – 940,538 | +15.9 points |
| 9 | 1889 | Elisha P. Ferry R def. Eugene Semple D | 33,711 – 24,732 | +15.4 points |
| 10 | 1896 | John Rankin Rogers P def. Potter C. Sullivan R | 50,849 – 38,154 | +13.9 points |
| 11 | 1928 | Roland H. Hartley R def. Scott Bullitt D | 281,991 – 214,334 | +13.5 points |
| 12 | 2020 | Jay Inslee D def. Loren Culp R | 2,294,243 – 1,749,066 | +13.4 points |
| 13 | 1980 | John Spellman R def. Jim McDermott D | 981,083 – 749,813 | +13.4 points |
| 14 | 1964 | Daniel J. Evans R def. Albert Rosellini D | 697,256 – 548,692 | +11.9 points |
| 15 | 2024 | Bob Ferguson D def. Dave Reichert R | 2,143,368 – 1,709,818 | +11.2 points |
| 16 | 1904 | Albert E. Mead R def. George Turner D | 74,278 – 59,119 | +10.5 points |
| 17 | 1968 | Daniel J. Evans R def. John J. O'Connell D | 692,378 – 560,262 | +10.4 points |
| 18 | 1956 | Albert Rosellini D def. Emmett T. Anderson R | 616,773 – 508,041 | +9.6 points |
| 19 | 2016 | Jay Inslee D def. Bill Bryant R | 1,760,520 – 1,476,346 | +8.8 points |
| 20 | 1976 | Dixy Lee Ray D def. John Spellman R | 821,797 – 687,039 | +8.7 points |
| 21 | 1972 | Daniel J. Evans R def. Albert Rosellini D | 747,825 – 630,613 | +8.0 points |
| 22 | 1984 | Booth Gardner D def. John Spellman R | 1,006,993 – 881,994 | +6.6 points |
| 23 | 2008 | Christine Gregoire D def. Dino Rossi R | 1,598,738 – 1,404,124 | +6.5 points |
| 24 | 1952 | Arthur B. Langlie R def. Hugh Mitchell D | 567,822 – 510,675 | +5.3 points |
| 25 | 1892 | John H. McGraw R def. Henry J. Snively D | 33,228 – 28,948 | +4.8 points |