The Life of Senator Slade Gorton

The Life of Senator Slade Gorton

Slade Gorton was an esteemed intellectual, an accomplished attorney, a shrewd political opponent, an Air Force colonel, a baseball nut…and one of the greatest public servants Washington State has ever known. After 92 years of working on behalf of others, the nonagenarian solon died last month, on August 19th.

If you’ve never heard of Slade Gorton, you’ll get a great idea of who the man was by reading his obituary from the Washington Post. Here are some highlights:

“As Washington’s attorney general in the 1970s, Mr. Gorton was known for his aggressive consumer-protection battles. In 1980, he defeated longtime Democratic Sen. Warren Magnuson, emphasizing his relative youth, in contrast to the aging incumbent, by running to the state capital of Olympia to file his candidacy papers.”

“Mr. Gorton twice saved professional baseball in Seattle, suing Major League Baseball in the 1970s to force it to bring a team to the city and arranging a deal to have Nintendo’s owner and local investors buy the Mariners to keep them in town in 1991.”

“Democratic Sen. Patty Murray (Wash.), who overlapped with Mr. Gorton in the Senate, said they didn’t always agree, but still worked together to strengthen clean-up efforts at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington state, toughen pipeline safety standards and expand health care for children.”

“After leaving the U.S. Senate, he served on the 9/11 Commission and on the National Commission on Federal Election Reform, as well as numerous civic boards and campaigns.”

Gene Johnson | AP
August 19, 2020

No one knew Slade better than his wife, his children, his closest friends…and perhaps his biographer, Chief Historian for the Washington Secretary of State’s Office, John Hughes.

In 2011, Hughes published a 384-page book titled Slade Gorton: A Half Century in Politics,” on behalf of the Washington State Heritage Center’s Legacy Project – now known as Legacy Washington. It is probably the most historically accurate, exquisitely detailed, and anecdotally entertaining work about the man known as a scion, a patrician, and one of the most intellectually astute politicians this state has ever seen.

Listen below to my interview with the author himself, an award-winning journalist of over four decades, former editor and publisher of the Aberdeen Daily World, and longtime friend of Senator Slade Gorton.

John Hughes and Slade Gorton at a Seattle City Club forum for C-SPAN in 2012.
John Hughes and Slade Gorton at a Seattle City Club forum for C-SPAN in 2012.

Fascinating life, Senator Gorton had. And because Mr. Hughes is such a wonderful storyteller, there wasn’t room to include everything in the podcast episode. Here are some supplemental clips that provide even greater insight into the life of Senator Slade Gorton.


Hughes on the year 1968, Gorton’s first run for attorney general.

Hughes on the Boldt Decision upholding Native American treaty rights.

Hughes on Gorton’s take on law and order, the prevailing issue of the day.

Hughes on how Gorton viewed the negative political campaigns of today.

Hughes’ take on how Gorton viewed the term “progressive politics.”

Hughes on how Gorton should really be considered a feminist.

Hughes talks about the amazing storytelling abilities of a supposedly “cold” Gorton.

Hughes on how even Gorton knew he needed to warm up to be successful.

Many, many thanks to John Hughes for spending the time with me, and many more thanks to Slade Gorton and his family for their service to the greatest state in the lower 48.

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About Washington Our Home

My name is Erich Ebel and I love this state. I’ve lived on the green side as well as the brown side. I’ve navigated the rivers and climbed the mountains. I’ve fished its lakes, hiked its trails, marveled at its geology, and studied its fascinating, storied history. I’ve spent the past ten years discovering and sharing stories about Washington’s history, heritage, and culture. My blog, videos, and podcasts hold a treasure trove of interesting facts, unknown facets, and fascinating tales that help to educate the general public about the privileges of being in Washington. I’m the current chair of the City of Lacey Historical Commission, and previously served as Marketing and Communications Director for the Washington State Historical Society and Museum. I’ve been a board member for the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, and the History Insider for Scenic Washington magazine.

1 Comment

  1. It’s obvious why Seattle’s gone to hell! Real men of the caliber of Senator Gorton moved out of Seattle. The billionaires Gates, Bezos, etc. w/o a MORAL COMPASS, took over: drugs, perversion, amorality and since, 2012??, HOMELESSNESS promoted! Degenerates destroying GOD-given FREEDOM for license!
    Close down all EVM’s/ERIC/Democracy Live! END MACHINES STEALING ALL WA State’s ELECTIONS! Prayer Warriors needed for WA! and all Democrat run States! 2nd CHRONICLES 7:14.

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