2014 Oregon gubernatorial election
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.
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 County results Kitzhaber: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Richardson: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Oregon |
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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]
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
Declared
- Ifeanyichukwu Chijioke Diru[7]
- John Kitzhaber, incumbent governor[8]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Kitzhaber (incumbent) | 268,654 | 89.0 | |
| Democratic | Ifeanyichukwu C. Diru | 27,833 | 9.22 | |
| write-ins | 5,388 | 1.78 | ||
| Total votes | 301,875 | 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]
Declared
Withdrew
- Jon Justesen, businessman and rancher[17]
Declined
- Allen Alley, businessman, former Chairman of the Oregon Republican Party, nominee for Oregon State Treasurer in 2008 and candidate for Governor in 2010[15]
- Chris Dudley, former NBA basketball player and nominee for Governor in 2010[18]
- Bruce Hanna, state representative[19]
- Gordon H. Smith, former U.S. Senator[20]
- Greg Walden, U.S. Representative and Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee[21]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dennis Richardson | 163,695 | 65.86 | |
| Republican | Gordon Challstrom | 24,693 | 9.93 | |
| Republican | Bruce Cuff | 23,912 | 9.62 | |
| Republican | Mae Rafferty | 16,920 | 6.8 | |
| Republican | Tim Carr | 14,847 | 5.97 | |
| Republican | Darren Karr | 2,474 | 1.0 | |
| write-ins | 2,011 | 0.8 | ||
| Total votes | 248,552 | 100 | ||
Third parties
Declared
- Aaron Auer (Constitution Party)[22]
- Paul Grad (Libertarian Party)[22]
- Chris Henry (Oregon Progressive Party)[22]
- Jason Levin (Pacific Green Party)[22]
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
- Complete video of debate, September 26, 2014
- Complete video of debate, October 14, 2014
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[23] | Likely D | November 3, 2014 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[24] | Likely D | November 3, 2014 |
| Rothenberg Political Report[25] | Safe D | November 3, 2014 |
| Real Clear Politics[26] | Lean D | November 3, 2014 |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
John Kitzhaber (D) |
Dennis Richardson (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elway Research | October 26–27, 2014 | 403 | ± 5% | 45% | 38% | 2%[27] | 9% |
| SurveyUSA | October 23–27, 2014 | 552 | ± 4.3% | 50% | 40% | 6% | 5% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov | October 16–23, 2014 | 1,421 | ± 4% | 48% | 42% | 1% | 10% |
| SurveyUSA | October 16–19, 2014 | 561 | ± 4.2% | 51% | 38% | 6% | 6% |
| DHM Research | October 2014 | ? | ± 4.3% | 50% | 29% | 6% | 15% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov | September 20–October 1, 2014 | 1,508 | ± 3% | 49% | 42% | 0% | 8% |
| SurveyUSA | September 22–24, 2014 | 568 | ± 4.2% | 50% | 38% | 5% | 8% |
| Rasmussen Reports | September 2–3, 2014 | 750 | ± 4% | 48% | 38% | 4% | 10% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov | August 18–September 2, 2014 | 1,541 | ± 4% | 48% | 42% | 1% | 8% |
| Moore Information^ | August 5–9, 2014 | 500 | ± 4% | 45% | 41% | — | 13% |
| SurveyUSA | August 1–5, 2014 | 564 | ± 4.2% | 48% | 36% | 7% | 9% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov | July 5–24, 2014 | 2,082 | ± 2.6% | 52% | 42% | 1% | 5% |
| On Message, Inc.^ | June 22–24, 2014 | 600 | ± 4% | 42% | 38% | — | 16% |
| SurveyUSA | June 5–9, 2014 | 560 | ± 4.2% | 48% | 35% | 10% | 7% |
| Public Policy Polling | May 22–27, 2014 | 956 | ± 3.2% | 49% | 36% | — | 15% |
| DHM Research | May 2014 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 48% | 36% | — | 16% |
| Harper Polling | April 1–2, 2014 | 670 | ± 3.91% | 46% | 43% | — | 11% |
- ^ Internal poll for Dennis Richardson campaign
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
John Kitzhaber (D) |
Allen Alley (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | December 3–5, 2012 | 614 | ± 4% | 52% | 37% | — | 12% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 21–24, 2012 | 686 | ± 3.7% | 46% | 36% | — | 18% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
John Kitzhaber (D) |
Jason Atkinson (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | June 21–24, 2012 | 686 | ± 3.7% | 45% | 30% | — | 24% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
John Kitzhaber (D) |
Bruce Hanna (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | December 3–5, 2012 | 614 | ± 4% | 52% | 33% | — | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 21–24, 2012 | 686 | ± 3.7% | 46% | 33% | — | 21% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
John Kitzhaber (D) |
Gordon H. Smith (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | December 3–5, 2012 | 614 | ± 4% | 47% | 42% | — | 11% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
John Kitzhaber (D) |
Bruce Starr (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | December 3–5, 2012 | 614 | ± 4% | 53% | 31% | — | 16% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
John Kitzhaber (D) |
Greg Walden (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | December 3–5, 2012 | 614 | ± 4% | 49% | 40% | — | 11% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 21–24, 2012 | 686 | ± 3.7% | 42% | 41% | — | 17% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Kitzhaber (incumbent) | 733,230 | 49.89% | +0.60% | |
| Republican | Dennis Richardson | 648,542 | 44.13% | -3.63% | |
| Pacific Green | Jason Levin | 29,561 | 2.01% | N/A | |
| Libertarian | Paul Grad | 21,903 | 1.49% | +0.18% | |
| Constitution | Aaron Auer | 15,929 | 1.08% | N/A | |
| Progressive | Chris Henry | 13,898 | 0.95% | N/A | |
| Write-in | 6,654 | 0.45% | +0.23% | ||
| Total votes | 1,469,717 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
| Democratic hold | |||||
References
- Gunderson, Laura (November 5, 2014). "John Kitzhaber asks Oregon lawmakers to leave behind 'difficult campaign,' start healing". The Oregonian.
- Gunderson, Laura (November 4, 2014). "Dennis Richardson refuses to concede, John Kitzhaber thanks voters for a fourth term: Oregon election results 2014". The Oregonian.
- Ostermeier, Eric (December 10, 2013). "Kitzhaber Launches Bid to Become 2nd Longest-Serving Governor in History". Smart Politics.
- Nakamura, Beth (February 13, 2015). "Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber resigns amid criminal investigation, growing scandal". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- Mapes, Jeff (September 2, 2009). "Kitzhaber files committee to run for governor". OregonLive.com.
- Kitzhaber, Dudley To Face Off For Governor - Your Vote News Story - KPTV Portland Archived 2010-07-04 at the Wayback Machine
- Christian Gaston (March 11, 2014). "Election 2014: Who filed for Oregon statewide and congressional office". The Oregonian. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- Esteve, Harry (December 9, 2013). "John Kitzhaber announces for historic fourth term". The Oregonian. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
- "May 20, 2014 Primary Election Abstract of Votes: Governor". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
- Mapes, Jeff (March 10, 2013). "Republicans search for ways to revive GOP brand in Oregon". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- Mapes, Jeff (March 8, 2013). "At Dorchester Conference, Oregon Republicans ponder how to restore their party". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- 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.
- Esteve, Harry (January 9, 2014). "Another Republican files to run for Oregon governor". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
- 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.
- Gaston, Christian (March 10, 2014). "Allen Alley, former gubernatorial hopeful, won't challenge Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber". The Oregonian. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
- Gaston, Christian (July 24, 2013). "Oregon Rep. Dennis Richardson announces run for governor". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- Mapes, Jeff (January 30, 2014). "Republican Jon Justesen, questioning his party's priorities, drops bid for Oregon governorship". The Oregonian. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
- "Chris Dudley, ending his political aspirations, says move to San Diego makes sense for his family". Oregon Live. April 7, 2012.
- "Bruce Hanna decides not to run for re-election -- or, for now, another seat: Oregon politics today". Oregon Live. September 20, 2013.
- "Gordon Smith finds happiness in private sector, has no plans to seek office". Oregon Live. August 6, 2012.
- "Republicans Pick Walden as New NRCC Chairman". Roll Call. November 14, 2012.
- "Oregon Secretary Of State". Retrieved September 23, 2014.
- "2014 Governor Race Ratings for November 3, 2014". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- "The Crystal Ball's Final 2014 Picks". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- "2014 Gubernatorial Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- "2014 Elections Map - 2014 Governors Races". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- Aaron Auer (C)
- "November 4, 2014, General Election, Official Abstract of Votes: Governor". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
External links
- Official campaign websites (Archived)