Nany Evans oral history.indd - Washington Secretary of State

Hughes: Dan won by nearly 150,000 votes. On November 11, 1964, The Olympian
declared, “State’s New First Lady, Pretty, Practical.” It says, “Washington’s new First Lady
… Mrs. Daniel J. Evans, has plenty of other attributes that helped her husband become the
state’s youngest governor at 39. She also has poise, a warm personality, and an interest in
politics. She also has good feet and an excellent digestion.”
Evans: Absolutely!
Hughes: It sounds sort of like horse-judging at the county fair.
Evans: Yes, it does. (laughing)
Hughes: “The feet, encased in needle-heeled shoes traveled the campaign trail beside
those of her husband. She ate everything she was served.”
Evans: Absolutely.
Hughes: “Mrs. Evans says, ‘Well, sometimes I passed up the bread and potatoes at dinner
but I ate all the cookies and nuts at all those coffee hours. And I gained 15 pounds, to my
alarm.’”
Evans: I’d forgotten the 15, but, yes, that’s also true.
Hughes: “Mrs. Evans said she enjoyed campaigning because it took her into ‘every nook
and cranny of this state. At first I dreaded it, but everyone was so friendly and kind.’ ”
Evans: That’s really true.
Hughes: Then it concludes, “Nancy Evans may be the state’s youngest first lady, but there
will be few challenges she can’t handle.”
Evans: Well…
Dan and Nancy on the campaign trail. Evans family album
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