Elections / 1988 · Senate · WA
The Republican candidate won Washington's Senate seat R+2.2.
Washington, 1988. Candidate results and statewide totals below. The presidential race shared this ballot.
Washington — 1988 Senate result
Source: MIT Election Data + Science Lab, 1976–2024 Senate returns (party-classified by literal ballot party).
Democratic (D)
904,183
48.9%
Republican (R)
944,359
51.1%
All others
0
0.0%
Margin
R+2.2
Candidates
Statewide candidate totals — MIT Election Data + Science Lab, 1988 Senate returns.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slade Gorton | RRepublican | 944,359 | 51.1% |
| Mike Lowry | DDemocrat | 904,183 | 48.9% |
Washington's Senate margins
Every contest in our store, 1976–2024
| Year | Margin (D minus R) |
|---|---|
| 1976 | +47.6% |
| 1980 | −8.3% |
| 1982 | +44.7% |
| 1986 | +2.0% |
| 1988 | −2.2% |
| 1992 | +8.0% |
| 1994 | −11.5% |
| 1998 | +16.8% |
| 2000 | +0.1% |
| 2004 | +12.2% |
| 2006 | +16.9% |
| 2010 | +4.7% |
| 2012 | +20.9% |
| 2016 | +18.0% |
| 2018 | +16.9% |
| 2022 | +14.5% |
| 2024 | +18.5% |