Nany Evans oral history.indd - Washington Secretary of State

was very interesting. And he always has liked that interaction. I thought he was always
good at it, too. When we traveled to foreign countries when he was governor, it was always
very easy for him to talk to the chief of state, the ambassador, whomever, because he liked
that sort of interaction and he was knowledgeable about that country’s issues. He always
had knowledge of their history and of the country itself, and respect for the leadership.
That sort of thing was very interesting to him, and very easy. And so he really liked that.
And he also had the opportunity to go on a number of wonderful trips.
Hughes: Did you get to go, too?
Evans: I did many times. So that was interesting, and he really enjoyed that aspect. And he
enjoyed some of the other committees that he was on that he was particularly interested
in – Energy & Natural Resources, Indian Affairs. But the legislative process is so slow and so
frustrating some times. And of course now it’s even worse than it was then. But besides
the frustration, he also he looked at his life and his age, and he said, “If I don’t leave now, I
won’t be able to seek other opportunities. And that was part of his thinking at that time.
So that’s an important part of why he didn’t go for a second term.
Hughes: Did you make some really good friends among other senators and their spouses?
Evans: Yes, we did.
Hughes: Did you see a lot of Sally and Slade Gorton?
Evans: Well, we did and then he was defeated and they left.
Editor’s Note: Elected to the Senate in 1980, Gorton was defeated by Democrat
Brock Adams in 1986, but ran again in 1988 and won back a seat in the Senate – the seat
Dan Evans vacated. Adams did not seek re-election in 1992 in the wake of allegations of
sexual improprieties with young women. Adams flatly denied the charges, which were
published by The Seattle Times.
Hughes: Were you really stunned by those revelations about Brock?
Evans: Well, it was certainly surprising. Brock was a very hands-on person. He was very
nice. And Betty, his wife, is a lovely, lovely lady. And it was hard on her. I felt so sorry for
her. That was very tough. And she handled it beautifully, I must say.
Hughes: It’s really sad in politics when you see a Pat Nixon, or Betty Adams going through a
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