Nany Evans oral history.indd - Washington Secretary of State

Evans: Yes, pronounced “Poe-gi.” She had a little girl who was our oldest son’s age. And
she said, “I’ll come over and stay.” I was scrambling. We had two little children and a
crib and the whole thing. I guess they were sending a car for me, so I wasn’t going to be
driving. Then they called around 9 or 10 and said, “No, it’s not going to happen. So you
can get back to what you were doing.” That was a relief, and Poagy could go back home.
She didn’t have to stay.
Editor’s Note: Here’s more of the back-story: Maneuvering like crazy to keep the
Democrats from capturing the 50 votes they needed, Rep. Copeland told Dan Evans, “I
don’t know if we can hold the damn thing or not.” The governor-elect replied, “OK, we’ll go
ahead and set the machinery in motion. If you guys can delay it long enough to at least get
past the 12 o’clock hour, then we’ll go ahead and make arrangements for me to get sworn
in.” Speaker Bob Schaefer “was painfully aware that he was unable to find the necessary
votes to pass a redistricting bill” satisfactory to Bob Greive, the Democrats’ majority leader
in the Senate. Copeland told Schaefer what the House Republicans were prepared to do
– swear in Dan Evans early. Schaefer said, “You’re not kidding, are you?” Copeland said,
“No, I’m not kidding at all. I’m absolutely dead serious. That is what’s going to happen at
12 o’clock.” Schaefer said, “How would it be if we adjourned right now?” Copeland said,
“You’ve got a deal.” And the House adjourned until 10 a.m. Inauguration Day.
Then the next morning, very early, we got up. I had to then dismantle the crib that
Mark slept in and put it in the trunk of our station wagon. And then I had to get everybody
up, dressed and fed, and ready to drive to Olympia to see Dan sworn it. So we go outside
and all the neighbors were out to say goodbye. It was wonderful. In fact, I remember
that the night after the election, we got home very late. The next morning the whole
neighborhood, all along the street, there were just signs everywhere, which was very nice.
Hughes: But there’s Nancy with the crib jammed into the station wagon, kids in her arms.
Evans: Exactly. Not feeling very First Lady-ish. So we say goodbye. And I’m putting my
inaugural gown on top of everything, over the crib in the back. And the boys were all in the
back seat. I drive up the hill and all of a sudden I look back and they’re all yelling. Well, the
trunk door was open and everything is falling out, including my dress!
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