This 1965 photo shows Secretary of State-elect Lud Kramer, Gov.-elect Dan Evans, and Evans’ assistant, James Dolliver.  (Photo courtesy of Washington State Digital Archives)

Hard to believe it’s been 50 years since Dan Evans became Washington’s 15th governor in January 1965 after defeating incumbent Albert Rosellini the previous fall. The Legislature is honoring Evans Wednesday on his 50th anniversary of becoming governor.

The State Digital Archives has a great photo, taken on Jan. 12, 1965, showing Gov.-elect Evans and Secretary of State-elect Lud Kramer working at adjoining desks in the Office of Secretary of State in preparation for taking over their new jobs the next day. In the photo, Evans’ administrative assistant, James Dolliver, looks over his shoulder. Outgoing Secretary of State Vic Meyers offered his office to Evans and Kramer as they transitioned into their new positions. According to notes that accompany the digital photo, Meyers said of his offer: “I thought it would be a nice gesture.”

The photo is in the Digital Archives’ General Subjects Photograph Collection, 1845-2005.

When shown the photo this week, Evans shared a story about that point in time:

“Boy, that picture brings back many memories. Vic Meyers, the outgoing Secretary of State offered his office to Lud Kramer a week before the inauguration. When the legislature convened on Monday they tried desperately to pass a redistricting bill before Wednesday when I was to be sworn in. Democrats controlled both houses of the legislature and Governor Rosellini still had two days in office.

“The federal court had issued an order requiring the legislature to pass a satisfactory redistricting bill before passing any other bill during the session. The picture was taken while we were debating strategy to delay a redistricting bill until I was sworn in as Governor. If we could just delay passage of a Democrat tilting redistricting bill until midnight Tuesday, we were prepared for my swearing-in ceremony to take place in the House chamber galleries at 12:01 AM Wednesday. Rep. Tom Copeland was prepared with a speech to be given at midnight announcing that I was prepared to take the oath of office. My parents and Nancy’s mother were already on the way to Olympia to attend this nocturnal ceremony when the House finally quit, unable to find a majority for the Senate passed bill. The speech was promptly titled ‘The Greatest Speech Never Given.’

“My parents returned home and the inaugural ceremony took place at noon on Wednesday as originally planned. Then the battle began and the Democrats passed two gerrymandered redistricting bills which I promptly vetoed. Finally, after 47 days of struggle and an increasing stack of unpassed bills, the legislature produced a fair redistricting bill which I promptly signed. The next election, Republicans gained 16 seats in the House of Representatives and took control which they held for the next six years.”