Slade Gorton

Slade Gorton. Thomas Slade Gorton III was an American politician and attorney who served as a United States Senator from Washington for three terms. A member of the Republican Party, he was known as a pragmatic and independent-minded legislator with expertise in legal, budgetary, and Native American affairs. His career was marked by significant electoral victories and defeats, culminating in his service on the 9/11 Commission following his time in the United States Senate.

Early life and education

Thomas Slade Gorton III was born in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to the Seattle area as a child. He attended Lakeside School before enrolling at Dartmouth College, where he graduated with a degree in history. Following his undergraduate studies, Gorton earned his Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School, setting the foundation for his future career in law and public service.

Legal and military service

After law school, Gorton served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force during the Korean War era. He then began his legal career in Seattle, joining the prestigious law firm now known as K&L Gates. His early legal work focused on corporate and appellate law, and he later served as an assistant attorney general for the state of Washington under Attorney General John J. O'Connell.

Political career

Gorton was first elected as Washington Attorney General in 1968, defeating incumbent John J. O'Connell, and was re-elected twice. In 1980, he unseated longtime Democratic Senator Warren G. Magnuson. After losing his seat to Brock Adams in 1986, he was elected again in 1988 to the seat held by retiring Republican Daniel J. Evans. In the United States Senate, Gorton served on influential committees including the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Committee on Indian Affairs. He was a key figure in the Washington delegation, known for his work on the Base Realignment and Closure process, telecommunications reform, and complex Native American fishing rights issues. He was a principal author of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which provided reparations to Japanese Americans interned during World War II.

Post-Senate career and death

After a narrow defeat by Maria Cantwell in the 2000 election, Gorton remained active in public life. He was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve on the 9/11 Commission in 2002. He also served on the Iraq Study Group and returned to practice law at K&L Gates. Gorton died at his home in Seattle in August 2020.

Electoral history

* 1968: Elected Washington Attorney General, defeating John J. O'Connell. * 1972: Re-elected Washington Attorney General. * 1976: Re-elected Washington Attorney General. * 1980: Elected to the United States Senate, defeating incumbent Warren G. Magnuson. * 1986: Lost re-election to Brock Adams. * 1988: Elected to the United States Senate, defeating Mike Lowry. * 1994: Re-elected to the United States Senate, defeating Ron Sims. * 2000: Lost re-election to Maria Cantwell. Category:1928 births Category:2020 deaths Category:United States Senators from Washington (state)