2014 Oregon gubernatorial election

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2014 Oregon gubernatorial election
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  Governor Kitzhaber (cropped).jpg Dennis Richardson cropped National Guard (cropped).jpg
Nominee John Kitzhaber Dennis Richardson
Party Democratic Republican
Alliance Working Families Independent Party
Popular vote733,230648,542
Percentage49.89%44.13%
2014 Oregon gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
County results
Kitzhaber:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%
Richardson:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%
Governor before election

John Kitzhaber
Democratic

Elected Governor

John Kitzhaber
Democratic

The 2014 Oregon gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the Governor of Oregon, concurrently with other elections in Oregon and across the United States.

Contents

Incumbent Democrat John Kitzhaber defeated Republican state legislator Dennis Richardson, winning his fourth overall, and second consecutive, four-year term as governor. [1] The race was closer than expected due to recent revelations of potential ethical violations involving his fiancée, Cylvia Hayes. [1] Most news outlets called the election in his favor by 9:00 p.m. on election night. Kitzhaber thanked his supporters for a successful race, while Richardson refused to concede due to the close tally. [2] Four third party candidates also appeared on the ballot, with each winning less than 2% of the vote.

Kitzhaber and Richardson were nominated in the primary election on May 20, 2014. As of 2022, this is the last gubernatorial election in Oregon where Clatsop County supported the Republican candidate, and the last one where Tillamook County supported the Democratic candidate.

If Kitzhaber had served his full term, he would have become the second longest-serving governor in U.S. history. [3] Kitzhaber, however, resigned as governor on February 18, 2015. [4]

This is the last time that a man was elected Governor of Oregon.

Background

Physician and then-President of the Oregon State Senate John Kitzhaber was first elected governor in 1994, and was re-elected in 1998. Term limits prevented him from running in 2002. He considered running in 2006, but decided not to; incumbent Democrat Ted Kulongoski was re-elected. In September 2009, Kitzhaber announced that he would seek a third term as governor in 2010. [5] In May 2010, he won the Democratic primary with 65% of the vote, defeating former secretary of state of Oregon Bill Bradbury. [6] After a close general election campaign, Kitzhaber won the election with 49% to Republican nominee Chris Dudley's 48%.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Results

Democratic primary results [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic John Kitzhaber (incumbent) 268,654 89.0
Democratic Ifeanyichukwu C. Diru27,8339.22
write-ins 5,3881.78
Total votes301,875 100

Republican primary

A Republican had not won a statewide race in Oregon since incumbent senator Gordon H. Smith was re-elected in 2002 and a Republican has not been elected governor since Victor G. Atiyeh was re-elected in 1982. At the annual Dorchester Conference for activists in March 2013, Oregon Republicans acknowledged the difficulties they faced. At the Conference, "the lack of activity was so pronounced that the conference's Saturday night satirical show ran a video that began with an announcer intoning, "Now we go live to the 2014 Republican governor's debate." The camera then panned over a debate stage with two empty chairs, the monotony broken only by a broom-wielding janitor." High-profile Republicans have all passed on the election and while attendees split on whether the party needed to change its policies, they agreed that the party needed to be a "big tent" again. [10] [11]

Candidates

Declared

  • Tim Carr, businessman [12]
  • Gordon Challstrom, businessman [13]
  • Bruce Cuff, real estate broker [14]
  • Darren Karr, businessman and candidate for Governor in 2010 [7]
  • Mae Rafferty, timber merchant [15]
  • Dennis Richardson, state representative [16]

Withdrew

  • Jon Justesen, businessman and rancher [17]

Declined

Results

Results by county: .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} Richardson 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% Oregon Governor Republican primary, 2014.svg
Results by county:
  Richardson
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
Republican primary results [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Dennis Richardson 163,695 65.86
Republican Gordon Challstrom24,6939.93
Republican Bruce Cuff23,9129.62
Republican Mae Rafferty16,9206.8
Republican Tim Carr14,8475.97
Republican Darren Karr2,4741.0
write-ins 2,0110.8
Total votes248,552 100

Third parties

Candidates

Declared

Additionally, under Oregon's Electoral fusion law, Democratic nominee John Kitzhaber was nominated by the Working Families Party of Oregon, and Republican nominee Dennis Richardson was nominated by the Independent Party of Oregon. [22]

General election

Debates

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [23] Likely DNovember 3, 2014
Sabato's Crystal Ball [24] Likely DNovember 3, 2014
Rothenberg Political Report [25] Safe DNovember 3, 2014
Real Clear Politics [26] Lean DNovember 3, 2014

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		John
Kitzhaber (D)		Dennis
Richardson (R)		OtherUndecided
Elway Research [27] October 26–27, 2014403± 5%45%38%2% [28] 9%
SurveyUSA [29] October 23–27, 2014552± 4.3%50%40%6%5%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov [30] October 16–23, 20141,421± 4%48%42%1%10%
SurveyUSA [31] October 16–19, 2014561± 4.2%51%38%6%6%
DHM Research [32] October 2014?± 4.3%50%29%6%15%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov [33] September 20–October 1, 20141,508± 3%49%42%0%8%
SurveyUSA [34] September 22–24, 2014568± 4.2%50%38%5%8%
Rasmussen Reports [35] September 2–3, 2014750± 4%48%38%4%10%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov [36] August 18–September 2, 20141,541± 4%48%42%1%8%
Moore Information^ [37] August 5–9, 2014500± 4%45%41%—13%
SurveyUSA [38] August 1–5, 2014564± 4.2%48%36%7%9%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov [39] July 5–24, 20142,082± 2.6%52%42%1%5%
On Message, Inc.^ [40] June 22–24, 2014600± 4%42%38%—16%
SurveyUSA [41] June 5–9, 2014560± 4.2%48%35%10%7%
Public Policy Polling [42] May 22–27, 2014956± 3.2%49%36%—15%
DHM Research [43] May 2014400± 4.9%48%36%—16%
Harper Polling [44] April 1–2, 2014670± 3.91%46%43%—11%
Hypothetical polling
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		John
Kitzhaber (D)		Allen
Alley (R)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [45] December 3–5, 2012614± 4%52%37%—12%
Public Policy Polling [46] June 21–24, 2012686± 3.7%46%36%—18%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		John
Kitzhaber (D)		Jason
Atkinson (R)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [46] June 21–24, 2012686± 3.7%45%30%—24%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		John
Kitzhaber (D)		Bruce
Hanna (R)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [45] December 3–5, 2012614± 4%52%33%—15%
Public Policy Polling [46] June 21–24, 2012686± 3.7%46%33%—21%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		John
Kitzhaber (D)		Gordon H.
Smith (R)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [45] December 3–5, 2012614± 4%47%42%—11%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		John
Kitzhaber (D)		Bruce
Starr (R)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [45] December 3–5, 2012614± 4%53%31%—16%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		John
Kitzhaber (D)		Greg
Walden (R)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [45] December 3–5, 2012614± 4%49%40%—11%
Public Policy Polling [46] June 21–24, 2012686± 3.7%42%41%—17%

Results

Oregon gubernatorial election, 2014 [47]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic John Kitzhaber (incumbent) 733,230 49.89% +0.60%
Republican Dennis Richardson 648,54244.13%−3.63%
Pacific Green Jason Levin29,5612.01%N/A
Libertarian Paul Grad21,9031.49%+0.18%
Constitution Aaron Auer15,9291.08%N/A
Progressive Chris Henry13,8980.95%N/A
Write-in 6,6540.45%+0.23%
Total votes1,469,717 100.00% N/A
Democratic hold

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Gunderson, Laura (November 5, 2014). "John Kitzhaber asks Oregon lawmakers to leave behind 'difficult campaign,' start healing". The Oregonian.
  2. ↑ Gunderson, Laura (November 4, 2014). "Dennis Richardson refuses to concede, John Kitzhaber thanks voters for a fourth term: Oregon election results 2014". The Oregonian.
  3. ↑ Ostermeier, Eric (December 10, 2013). "Kitzhaber Launches Bid to Become 2nd Longest-Serving Governor in History". Smart Politics.
  4. ↑ Nakamura, Beth (February 13, 2015). "Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber resigns amid criminal investigation, growing scandal". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  5. ↑ Mapes, Jeff (September 2, 2009). "Kitzhaber files committee to run for governor". OregonLive.com.
  6. ↑ Kitzhaber, Dudley To Face Off For Governor - Your Vote News Story - KPTV Portland Archived 2010-07-04 at the Wayback Machine
  7. 1 2 Christian Gaston (March 11, 2014). "Election 2014: Who filed for Oregon statewide and congressional office". The Oregonian . Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  8. ↑ Esteve, Harry (December 9, 2013). "John Kitzhaber announces for historic fourth term". The Oregonian . Retrieved December 9, 2013.
  9. 1 2 "May 20, 2014 Primary Election Abstract of Votes: Governor". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  10. ↑ Mapes, Jeff (March 10, 2013). "Republicans search for ways to revive GOP brand in Oregon". The Oregonian . Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  11. ↑ Mapes, Jeff (March 8, 2013). "At Dorchester Conference, Oregon Republicans ponder how to restore their party". The Oregonian . Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  12. ↑ Esteve, Harry (January 13, 2014). "Portland businessman becomes latest to join growing group of Republican candidates for governor". The Oregonian . Portland, Oregon. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  13. ↑ Esteve, Harry (January 9, 2014). "Another Republican files to run for Oregon governor". The Oregonian . Portland, Oregon. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  14. ↑ Esteve, Harry (January 6, 2014). "Salem-area real estate broker, Bruce Cuff, enters Republican primary for governor". The Oregonian . Portland, Oregon. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  15. 1 2 Gaston, Christian (March 10, 2014). "Allen Alley, former gubernatorial hopeful, won't challenge Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber". The Oregonian . Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  16. ↑ Gaston, Christian (July 24, 2013). "Oregon Rep. Dennis Richardson announces run for governor". The Oregonian . Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  17. ↑ Mapes, Jeff (January 30, 2014). "Republican Jon Justesen, questioning his party's priorities, drops bid for Oregon governorship". The Oregonian . Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Chris Dudley, ending his political aspirations, says move to San Diego makes sense for his family". Oregon Live. April 7, 2012.
  19. ↑ "Bruce Hanna decides not to run for re-election -- or, for now, another seat: Oregon politics today". Oregon Live. September 20, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Gordon Smith finds happiness in private sector, has no plans to seek office". Oregon Live. August 6, 2012.
  21. ↑ "Republicans Pick Walden as New NRCC Chairman". Roll Call. November 14, 2012.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 "Oregon Secretary Of State" . Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  23. ↑ "2014 Governor Race Ratings for November 3, 2014". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  24. ↑ "The Crystal Ball's Final 2014 Picks". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  25. ↑ "2014 Gubernatorial Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  26. ↑ "2014 Elections Map - 2014 Governors Races". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  27. ↑ Elway Research
  28. ↑ Aaron Auer (C)
  29. ↑ SurveyUSA
  30. ↑ CBS News/NYT/YouGov
  31. ↑ SurveyUSA
  32. ↑ DHM Research Archived October 17, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  33. ↑ CBS News/NYT/YouGov
  34. ↑ SurveyUSA
  35. ↑ Rasmussen Reports
  36. ↑ CBS News/NYT/YouGov
  37. ↑ Moore Information^
  38. ↑ SurveyUSA
  39. ↑ CBS News/NYT/YouGov
  40. ↑ On Message, Inc.^
  41. ↑ SurveyUSA
  42. ↑ Public Policy Polling
  43. ↑ DHM Research
  44. ↑ Harper Polling Archived April 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  45. 1 2 3 4 5 Public Policy Polling
  46. 1 2 3 4 Public Policy Polling
  47. ↑ "November 4, 2014, General Election, Official Abstract of Votes: Governor". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved December 6, 2014.

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