Washington voters choose Richard Nixon for U.S. president (defeated by John F. Kennedy) and Albert Rosellini for governor, and vote to retain the Alien Land Law on November 8, 1960.

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On November 8, 1960, Washington voters choose Richard Nixon (1913-1994) for U.S. president (defeated by John F. Kennedy) and Albert Rosellini (1910-2011) for governor, and vote to retain the "Alien Land Law" provision of the Washington State Constitution. The Alien Land Law, nullified years ago, bars Asians from owning property. Senator John F. Kennedy wins the national election by a slim 119,000 votes after campaigning on the issue of an alleged "missile gap."

Democratic Governor Albert Rosellini narrowly defeats Republican challenger Lloyd Andrews, 50.34 percent (611,987 votes) to 48.87 percent (594,122 votes). Seventh District Congressman Don Magnuson defeats Republican challenger John Stender by an even smaller margin, winning a recount by only 139 votes. Republican House incumbents Thomas M. Pelly (1902-1973) in the First District, Jack Westland (1904-1982) in the Second, Catherine May (b. 1914) in the Fourth, Walt Horan (1898-1966) in the Fifth, and Thor C. Tollefson (1901-1982) in the Sixth, win re-election by more comfortable margins. In Southwest Washington's Third District, Democrat Julia Butler Hansen (1907-1988) defeats Republican Dale M. Nordquist in the race to replace Republican Russell V. Mack (1891-1960), who died in office.

Sources:
Walt Crowley, Rites of Passage: A Memoir of the Sixties in Seattle (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1995, 203; The Seattle Times, November 8, 1960; Official Abstract of Votes, State General Election, November 8, 1960 (Olympia: Secretary of State, 1960).

By Kit Oldham, November 26, 2003

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Governor Albert D. Rosellini (b. 1910), ca. 1957