The 1996 Washington gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1996. Though eligible for a second term, incumbent governor
Mike Lowry chose not to run for reelection due to allegations of sexual harassment. This gubernatorial race was especially significant in that it resulted in the first
Asian Americangovernor in the mainland United States (after
George Ariyoshi of island state
Hawaii),
DemocratGary Locke. Former U.S. Representative
Jay Inslee would be elected in the gubernatorial election in
2012.