Mike Lowry (born March 8, 1939) served as the twentieth governor of the U.S. state of Washington from 1993 to 1997. Lowry is a Democrat. Lowry was born and raised in St. John, Washington, and graduated from Washington State University in 1962. He had a brief career working for the Washington State Senate and as a lobbyist for Group Health Cooperative before being elected to the King County Council in 1975. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives from Washington's Seventh Congressional District in 1978, where he served until 1989.
Lowry twice ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate. In 1983 he was defeated by Republican Dan Evans to replace Democrat Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson, and in 1988 he lost to Slade Gorton, also a Republican.
An unabashed liberal, Lowry was elected governor in 1992 and served for a single term. He chose not to run for re-election to a second term due to a sexual harassment scandal in which his deputy press secretary accused him of making inappropriate remarks and fondling her. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Commissioner of Public Lands in 2000. More recently he has been active in building affordable housing for Washington's migrant farm workers.
Preceded by: Booth Gardner Governors of Washington 1993 - 1997 Succeeded by: Gary Locke Preceded by: Jack Cunningham U.S. Representative Washington's 7th District 1979 - 1989 Succeeded by: Jim McDermott
Governors of Washington Ferry • McGraw • Rogers • McBride • Mead • Cosgrove • Hay • Lister • Hart • Hartley • Martin • Langlie • Wallgren • Langlie • Rosellini • Evans • Ray • Spellman • Gardner • Lowry • Locke • Gregoire
