1988Final results
1988 election for President in Washington
President · Washington
Michael Dukakis (D) won with 50.0% of the vote, defeating George H.w. Bush (R) by 1.6 points.
Michael DukakisDemocrat · winner
50.0%933,516
George H.w. BushRepublican
48.5%903,835
Ronald ""ron"" PaulLibertarian
0.9%17,240
Lyndon, Larouche Jr.Independent
0.2%4,412
Lenora FulaniOther party
0.2%3,520
Larry HolmesWorkers World
0.1%1,440
James ""mac"" WarrenSocialist Workers
0.1%1,290
1,865,253 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1988
Races before and after
Source: Past results: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)
The candidates
Michael Dukakis (D)George H.w. Bush (R)
Also on the ballot: Ronald ""ron"" Paul (Libertarian), 0.9%; Lyndon, Larouche Jr. (Independent), 0.2%; Lenora Fulani (Other party), 0.2%; Larry Holmes (Workers World), 0.1%; James ""mac"" Warren (Socialist Workers), 0.1%