2014 Oregon gubernatorial election

Last updated

2014 Oregon gubernatorial election
Flag of Oregon.svg
←  2010 November 4, 2014 2016 (special)  →
  Governor Kitzhaber (cropped).jpg Dennis Richardson cropped National Guard (cropped).jpg
Nominee John Kitzhaber Dennis Richardson
Party Democratic Republican
Alliance Working Families Independent
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 had called the election in his favor by 9:00 p.m. on election night, and with Kitzhaber thanking his supporters for a successful race, 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 most recent gubernatorial election in Oregon where Clatsop County supported the Republican candidate, and the most recent 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 October 26–27, 2014403± 5%45%38%2% [27] 9%
SurveyUSA October 23–27, 2014552± 4.3%50%40%6%5%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov October 16–23, 20141,421± 4%48%42%1%10%
SurveyUSA October 16–19, 2014561± 4.2%51%38%6%6%
DHM Research October 2014 ?± 4.3%50%29%6%15%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov September 20–October 1, 20141,508± 3%49%42%0%8%
SurveyUSA September 22–24, 2014568± 4.2%50%38%5%8%
Rasmussen Reports September 2–3, 2014750± 4%48%38%4%10%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov August 18–September 2, 20141,541± 4%48%42%1%8%
Moore Information^ August 5–9, 2014500± 4%45%41%—13%
SurveyUSA August 1–5, 2014564± 4.2%48%36%7%9%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov July 5–24, 20142,082± 2.6%52%42%1%5%
On Message, Inc.^ June 22–24, 2014600± 4%42%38%—16%
SurveyUSA June 5–9, 2014560± 4.2%48%35%10%7%
Public Policy Polling May 22–27, 2014956± 3.2%49%36%—15%
DHM Research May 2014400± 4.9%48%36%—16%
Harper Polling 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 December 3–5, 2012614± 4%52%37%—12%
Public Policy Polling 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 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 December 3–5, 2012614± 4%52%33%—15%
Public Policy Polling 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 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 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 December 3–5, 2012614± 4%49%40%—11%
Public Policy Polling June 21–24, 2012686± 3.7%42%41%—17%

Results

Oregon gubernatorial election, 2014 [28]
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

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ted Kulongoski</span> American judge and politician

Theodore Ralph Kulongoski is an American politician, judge, and lawyer who served as the 36th Governor of Oregon from 2003 to 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly and also served as the state Insurance Commissioner. He was the Attorney General of Oregon from 1993 to 1997 and a justice of the Oregon Supreme Court from 1997 to 2001. Kulongoski has served in all three branches of the Oregon state government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Kitzhaber</span> Former governor of Oregon

John Albert Kitzhaber is an American former politician and physician who served as governor of Oregon from 1995 to 2003 and again from 2011 to 2015. In February 2015, shortly after beginning his fourth term, Kitzhaber resigned from office and was replaced by Secretary of State Kate Brown. A member of the Democratic Party, Kitzhaber was the longest-serving governor in the state's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Richardson (politician)</span> American politician (1949–2019)

Dennis Michael Richardson was an American attorney, businessman, and politician who served as the 26th Secretary of State of Oregon from 2017 until his death in 2019. Richardson was from Central Point, Oregon and served six terms in the Oregon House of Representatives as a member of the Republican Party. He represented House District 4, which included portions of Jackson and Josephine counties, and was the Republican nominee for Governor of Oregon in the 2014 election, losing to incumbent Democrat John Kitzhaber.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States Senate election in Oregon</span> Election

The 2008 United States Senate election in Oregon was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Gordon H. Smith sought reelection to a third term. Smith was the only Republican Senator from the West Coast and the only Republican holding statewide office in Oregon. He was opposed by Democrat Jeff Merkley, the Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives, and David Brownlow of the Constitution Party of Oregon. Merkley won by a narrow margin, with Smith not conceding until two days after the election. Merkley became the first Democrat to win this seat since 1960. And since Smith was the only Republican holding statewide office in Oregon at the time, this was the first time since 1860 that no Republicans won or held statewide office in Oregon. Jeff Merkley's inauguration marked the first time since 1967 that Democrats held both of Oregon's United States Senate seats.

Like many other U.S. states, the politics of Oregon largely concerns regional issues. Oregon leans Democratic as a state, with both U.S. senators from the Democratic party, as well as four out of Oregon's six U.S. Representatives. The Democratic candidate for president has won in Oregon in every election since 1988. Both houses of Oregon's legislative assembly have been under Democratic control since the 2012 elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 Oregon gubernatorial election</span> 2002 gubernatorial election

The 2002 Oregon gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Democratic Governor of Oregon John Kitzhaber was unable to seek a third consecutive term as governor, therefore creating an open seat. To replace him, former Oregon Supreme Court Associate Justice Ted Kulongoski won a crowded and competitive Democratic primary, while former State Representative Kevin Mannix emerged from an equally competitive Republican primary. The campaign between Kulongoski and Mannix, who were joined by Libertarian nominee Tom Cox, was close and went down to the wire. Ultimately, Kulongoski eked out a narrow margin of victory over Mannix, which was slightly smaller than Cox's total vote share, allowing Kulongoski to win what would be the first of two terms as governor. As of 2023, this is the last time that Oregon voted for a gubernatorial nominee and a U.S. Senate nominee of different political parties.

Jack Roberts is an attorney and politician in the U.S. state of Oregon. A Republican, his highest office has been Oregon Commissioner of Labor and Industries, which he held from 1995 to 2003. He previously served as a Lane County commissioner from 1989 to 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Oregon gubernatorial election</span> Election

The 2010 Oregon gubernatorial election was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 to elect the Governor of Oregon to a four-year term beginning on January 10, 2011. The incumbent governor, Democrat Ted Kulongoski, was ineligible to run due to term limits barring him from being elected to more than two consecutive terms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon</span>

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 to elect the five U.S. representatives from the state of Oregon, apportioned according to the 2010 United States census. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election. All five incumbents, four Democrats and one Republican, were re-elected to another term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States Senate election in Oregon</span> Election

The 2014 United States Senate election in Oregon took place on November 4, 2014 to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Oregon, concurrently with the election of the Governor of Oregon, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States gubernatorial elections</span>

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 8, 2016, in 12 states and two territories. The last regular gubernatorial elections for nine of the 12 states took place in 2012. The last gubernatorial elections for New Hampshire, Oregon, and Vermont took place in 2014, as Oregon held a special election due to the resignation of Governor John Kitzhaber, while the governors of New Hampshire and Vermont both serve two-year terms. The 2016 gubernatorial elections took place concurrently with several other federal, state, and local elections, including the presidential election, Senate, and House elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon</span>

The 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon were held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 to elect the five U.S. representatives from the state of Oregon, one from each of the state's five congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including the governor of Oregon and a United States senator. Primary elections were held on May 20, 2014.

The 2014 elections for the Oregon Legislative Assembly determined the composition of both houses of the state legislature for the 78th Oregon Legislative Assembly. The Republican and Democratic primary elections were held on May 20, 2014 with the general election following on November 4, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Oregon elections</span>

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Oregon on November 4, 2014. The incumbent governor and U.S. senator, and all incumbent members of the U.S. Congress won reelection. Elections were also held for both houses of the state legislature, for the Commissioner of Labor, and for several statewide ballot measures. Primary elections were held on May 20, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Oregon gubernatorial special election</span> Election

The 2016 Oregon gubernatorial special election took place on November 8, 2016, to elect the Governor of Oregon, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, other gubernatorial elections and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Oregon elections</span>

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Oregon on November 8, 2016. Primary elections were held on May 17, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Oregon gubernatorial election</span> Election

The 2018 Oregon gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2018 to elect the Governor of Oregon to serve a full four-year term. In the 2016 special election, Democratic Governor Kate Brown had been elected to serve the last two years of John Kitzhaber's term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Oregon gubernatorial election</span> Election for governor of Oregon

The 2022 Oregon gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Oregon. The incumbent governor, Democrat Kate Brown, took office on February 18, 2015, upon the resignation of John Kitzhaber. She was subsequently elected in the gubernatorial special election in 2016, and was re-elected to a full term in 2018. Due to term limits, she was unable to run again in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Oregon elections</span> Elections held in Oregon in 2020

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Oregon on November 3, 2020. Primary elections were held on May 19, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Oregon elections</span> Elections held in Oregon in 2022

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Oregon on November 8, 2022. Primary elections were held on May 17, 2022.

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. ↑ Aaron Auer (C)
  28. ↑ "November 4, 2014, General Election, Official Abstract of Votes: Governor". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
Official campaign websites (Archived)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.