2000 United States Senate election in Washington

2000 United States Senate election in Washington
Turnout	75.46%
	County results; Cantwell: 40–50% 50–60% ; Gorton: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70%
U.S. senator before election; Slade Gorton; Republican	Elected U.S. Senator ; Maria Cantwell; Democratic

The 2000 United States Senate election in Washington was held on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Slade Gorton was seeking reelection to a third consecutive term, and a fourth overall, but he was unseated for a second time by a very narrow margin (the first time being in 1986) by former Congresswoman Maria Cantwell. The race was the most expensive contest in the state's history at the time.^[1]

By a margin of 0.09%, this election was the closest race of the 2000 Senate election cycle. Cantwell's victory was credited to her strength in the Puget Sound suburbs of Seattle, where she performed well. The campaign proved an expensive affair, with Cantwell spending almost $10 million of her own money she made at RealNetworks on her campaign.^[2]

Maria Cantwell's inauguration marked the first time since 1981 where Democrats held both Senate seats from Washington.

^ Ayres Jr, B. Drummond (October 19, 2000). "THE 2000 CAMPAIGN; CAMPAIGN BRIEFING". The New York Times. p. 31. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
^ Egan, Timothy (November 23, 2000). "Cantwell Declared Washington Victor". The New York Times. p. 24. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.

[:0-1] Ayres Jr, B. Drummond (October 19, 2000). "THE 2000 CAMPAIGN; CAMPAIGN BRIEFING". The New York Times. p. 31. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.

[2] Egan, Timothy (November 23, 2000). "Cantwell Declared Washington Victor". The New York Times. p. 24. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.

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