Oregon legislative elections, 2008
Elections for the 75th Oregon Legislative Assembly took place in 2008. The Republican and Democratic primary elections were on May 20, 2008, and the general election was held on November 4, 2008. Fifteen of the Oregon State Senate's thirty seats were up for election, as were all 60 seats of the Oregon House of Representatives.
In the general election, there were 39 races with both Democratic and Republican candidates; 24 were in districts previously represented by a Republican, 15 in districts previously represented by Democrats. Sixteen Democrats ran without a Republican opponent, and five Republicans ran without a Democratic opponent.
Eighteen incumbent House members and six incumbent Senators earned enough write-in votes in the opposing party's primary to earn a dual endorsement.[1]
General election Senate candidates
Every two years, half of the state senate seats come up for election. In 2008 there was also an election for District 17, resulting from Senator Brad Avakian's appointment to Oregon Labor Commissioner. Thus, 16 seats were up for election.
Nine of the 16 Senate seats up for election were previously held by Democrats. Four of these races had both Democratic and Republican candidates in the general election. The other seven seats were previously held by Republicans, and four of them were contested by both major parties. Democrats lost one seat (District 27 in the Bend area) to the Republican Party, and went into 2009 with a majority of 18 seats to the Republicans' 12.
Except where footnoted, candidates were unopposed in their party's primary.
District[2] |
Party |
Incumbent |
Status |
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
1 |
|
Republican |
Jeff Kruse of Roseburg |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Jeff Kruse |
38,366 |
69.69 |
|
Democratic |
Eldon Rollins |
16,461 |
29.90 |
|
|
write-ins |
229 |
0.42 |
2 |
|
Republican |
Jason Atkinson of Central Point |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Jason Atkinson |
39,265 |
68.81 |
|
Democratic |
Richard Koopmans |
17,570 |
30.79 |
|
|
write-ins |
224 |
0.39 |
5 |
|
Democratic |
Joanne Verger of Coos Bay |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Joanne Verger |
40,012 |
96.77 |
|
|
write-ins |
1,337 |
3.23 |
9 |
|
Republican |
Fred Girod of Stayton |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Fred Girod[3] |
31,201 |
61.09 |
|
Democratic |
Bob McDonald[4] |
19,753 |
38.68 |
|
|
write-ins |
116 |
0.23 |
12 |
|
Republican |
Gary George of Newberg |
Retired
|
|
Republican |
Brian Boquist |
33,264 |
60.62 |
|
Democratic |
Kevin Nortness |
21,480 |
39.14 |
|
|
write-ins |
130 |
0.24 |
14 |
|
Democratic |
Mark Hass of Beaverton |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Mark Hass |
35,847 |
67.79 |
|
Republican |
Lisa Michaels |
16,850 |
31.86 |
|
|
write-ins |
186 |
0.35 |
17 |
|
Democratic |
Suzanne Bonamici of Portland |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Suzanne Bonamici |
44,475 |
96.90 |
|
|
write-ins |
1,423 |
3.10 |
18 |
|
Democratic |
Ginny Burdick of Portland |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Ginny Burdick |
41,916 |
69.96 |
|
Republican |
John Wight |
17,809 |
29.72 |
|
|
write-ins |
189 |
0.32 |
21 |
|
Democratic |
Kate Brown of Milwaukie |
Retired[5]
|
|
Democratic |
Diane Rosenbaum |
49,149 |
97.67 |
|
|
write-ins |
1,172 |
2.33 |
22 |
|
Democratic |
Margaret Carter of Portland |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Margaret Carter |
48,939 |
98.15 |
|
|
write-ins |
921 |
1.85 |
23 |
|
Democratic |
Avel Gordly of Portland |
Retired
|
|
Democratic |
Jackie Dingfelder[6] |
44,631 |
97.68 |
|
|
write-ins |
1,058 |
2.32 |
25 |
|
Democratic |
Laurie Monnes Anderson of Gresham |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
L. M. Anderson |
27,013 |
58.45 |
|
Republican |
Dave Kim[7] |
19,036 |
41.19 |
|
|
write-ins |
167 |
0.18 |
27 |
|
Democratic |
Ben Westlund of Bend |
Retired[8]
|
|
Republican |
Chris Telfer[9] |
42,061 |
59.60 |
|
Democratic |
Maren Lundgren |
28,379 |
40.21 |
|
|
write-ins |
129 |
0.18 |
28 |
|
Republican |
Doug Whitsett of Klamath Falls |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Doug Whitsett |
39,416 |
97.65 |
|
|
write-ins |
949 |
2.35 |
29 |
|
Republican |
David Nelson of Pendleton |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
David Nelson |
32,747 |
98.13 |
|
|
write-ins |
623 |
1.87 |
30 |
|
Republican |
Ted Ferrioli of John Day |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Ted Ferrioli |
35,606 |
97.91 |
|
|
write-ins |
760 |
2.09 |
General election House candidates
Every two years, all of the state house seats come up for election. Democrats gained five seats from the previous session: two in open seats and three in defeating incumbent Republicans.
Except where footnoted, candidates were unopposed in their party's primary.
District[10] |
Party |
Incumbent |
Status |
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
1 |
|
Republican |
Wayne Krieger of Gold Beach |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Wayne Krieger' |
17,590 |
|
|
Democratic |
Richard (Rick) Goche |
11,357 |
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
2 |
|
Republican |
Susan Morgan of Myrtle Creek |
Retired
|
|
Republican |
Tim Freeman[11] |
16,780 |
|
|
Democratic |
Harry McDermott |
9,143 |
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
3 |
|
Republican |
Ron Maurer of Grants Pass |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Ron Maurer |
16,982 |
|
|
Democratic |
Julie Rubenstein |
10,674 |
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
4 |
|
Republican |
Dennis Richardson of Central Point |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Dennis Richardson |
19,641 |
|
|
Independent |
Keith Wangle |
8,053 |
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
5 |
|
Democratic |
Peter Buckley of Ashland |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Peter Buckley |
18,452 |
|
|
Independent |
Pete Belcasto |
11,653 |
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
6 |
|
Republican |
Sal Esquivel of Medford |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Sal Esquivel |
14,622 |
|
|
Democratic |
Lynn Howe |
12,638 |
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
7 |
|
Republican |
Bruce Hanna of Roseburg |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Bruce Hanna |
17,614 |
|
|
Democratic |
Donald Nordin[12] |
9,954 |
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
8 |
|
Democratic |
Paul Holvey of Eugene |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Paul Holvey |
23,366 |
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
9 |
|
Democratic |
Arnie Roblan of Coos Bay |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Arnie Roblan |
15,444 |
|
|
Republican |
Al Pearn |
11,365 |
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
10 |
|
Democratic |
Jean Cowan of Newport |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Jean Cowan |
19,829 |
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
11 |
|
Democratic |
Phil Barnhart of Eugene |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Phil Barnhart |
22,260 |
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
12 |
|
Democratic |
Terry Beyer of Springfield |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Terry Beyer |
14,800 |
|
|
Republican |
Sean MP VanGordon |
7,554 |
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
13 |
|
Democratic |
Nancy Nathanson of Eugene |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Nancy Nathanson |
22,899 |
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
14 |
|
Democratic |
Chris Edwards of Eugene |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Chris Edwards |
20,552 |
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
15 |
|
Republican |
Andy Olson of Albany |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Andy Olson |
18,808 |
|
|
Democratic |
Dick Olsen |
10,971 |
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
16 |
|
Democratic |
Sara Gelser of Corvallis |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Sara Gelser |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
17 |
|
Republican |
Sherrie Sprenger of Scio |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Sherrie Sprenger[13] |
|
|
|
Democratic |
Dan Thackaberry |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
18 |
|
Republican |
Vic Gilliam of Silverton |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Vic Gilliam |
|
|
|
Democratic |
Jim Gilbert |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
19 |
|
Republican |
Kevin Cameron of Salem |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Kevin Cameron |
|
|
|
Democratic |
Hanten (HD) Day |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
20 |
|
Republican |
Vicki Berger of Salem |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Vicki Berger |
|
|
|
Democratic |
Richard Riggs |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
21 |
|
Democratic |
Brian Clem of Salem |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Brian Clem |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
22 |
|
Democratic |
Betty Komp of Woodburn |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Betty Komp |
|
|
|
Republican |
Tom M. Chereck, Jr. |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
23 |
|
Republican |
Brian Boquist of Dallas |
Retired[14]
|
|
Republican |
Jim Thompson[15] |
|
|
|
Democratic |
Jason Brown[16] |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
24 |
|
Republican |
Donna G. Nelson of McMinnville |
Retired
|
|
Republican |
Jim Weidner[17] |
|
|
|
Democratic |
Bernt (Al) Hansen |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
25 |
|
Republican |
Kim Thatcher of Keizer |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Kim Thatcher |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
26 |
|
Republican |
Matt Wingard of Wilsonville |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Matt Wingard |
|
|
|
Democratic |
Jessica Adamson |
|
|
|
Libertarian |
Marc Delphine |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
27 |
|
Democratic |
Tobias Read of Beaverton |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Tobias Read |
|
|
|
Republican |
Michael F. DeVietro |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
28 |
|
Democratic |
Jeff Barker of Aloha |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Jeff Barker |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
29 |
|
Democratic |
Chuck Riley of Hillsboro |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Chuck Riley |
|
|
|
Independent |
Terry L. Rilling |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
30 |
|
Democratic |
David Edwards of Hillsboro |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
David Edwards |
|
|
|
Republican |
Andy Duyck |
|
|
|
Constitution (Oregon) |
Ken Cunningham |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
31 |
|
Democratic |
Brad Witt of Clatskanie |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Brad Witt |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
32 |
|
Democratic |
Deborah Boone of Cannon Beach |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Deborah Boone |
|
|
|
Republican |
Tim Bero |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
33 |
|
Democratic |
Mitch Greenlick of Portland |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Mitch Greenlick |
|
|
|
Republican |
James (Jim) Ellison |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
34 |
|
Democratic |
Chris Harker of Beaverton |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Chris Harker |
|
|
|
Republican |
Piotr Kuklinski |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
35 |
|
Democratic |
Larry Galizio of Tigard |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Larry Galizio |
|
|
|
Republican |
Tony Marino |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
36 |
|
Democratic |
Mary Nolan of Portland |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Mary Nolan |
|
|
|
Republican |
Steve Oppenheim |
|
|
|
Libertarian |
Jay A. Ellefson |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
37 |
|
Republican |
Scott Bruun of West Linn |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Scott Bruun |
|
|
|
Democratic |
Michele Eberle |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
38 |
|
Democratic |
Greg Macpherson of Lake Oswego |
Retired[18]
|
|
Democratic |
Chris Garrett[19] |
|
|
|
Republican |
Steve Griffith |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
39 |
|
Republican |
Wayne Scott of Oregon City |
Retired
|
|
Republican |
Bill Kennemer |
|
|
|
Democratic |
Toby Forsberg |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
40 |
|
Democratic |
Dave Hunt of Gladstone |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Dave Hunt |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
41 |
|
Democratic |
Carolyn Tomei of Milwaukie |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Carolyn Tomei |
|
|
|
Republican |
Randy Uchytil |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
42 |
|
Democratic |
Diane Rosenbaum of Portland |
Retired[20]
|
|
Democratic |
Jules Kopel-Bailey[21] |
|
|
|
Pacific Green |
Chris Extine |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
43 |
|
Democratic |
Chip Shields of Portland |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Chip Shields |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
44 |
|
Democratic |
Tina Kotek of Portland |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Tina Kotek |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
45 |
|
Democratic |
Michael Dembrow of Portland |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Michael Dembrow[22] |
|
|
|
Libertarian |
Jim Karlock |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
46 |
|
Democratic |
Ben Cannon of Portland |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Ben Cannon |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
47 |
|
Democratic |
Jeff Merkley of Portland |
Retired[23]
|
|
Democratic |
Jefferson Smith |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
48 |
|
Democratic |
Mike Schaufler of Happy Valley |
Re-elected
|
|
Democratic |
Mike Schaufler |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
49 |
|
Republican |
Karen Minnis of Wood Village |
Retired
|
|
Democratic |
Nick Kahl[24] |
|
|
|
Republican |
John Nelsen |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
50 |
|
Republican |
John Lim of Gresham |
Lost re-election
|
|
Democratic |
Greg Matthews |
|
|
|
Republican |
John Lim |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
51 |
|
Republican |
Linda Flores of Clackamas |
Lost re-election
|
|
Democratic |
Brent Barton |
|
|
|
Republican |
Linda Flores |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
52 |
|
Republican |
Patti Smith of Corbett |
Retired
|
|
Democratic |
Suzanne VanOrman[25] |
|
|
|
Republican |
Matt Lindland[26] |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
53 |
|
Republican |
Gene Whisnant of Sunriver |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Gene Whisnant |
|
|
|
Democratic |
Conrad Ruel |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
54 |
|
Republican |
Chuck Burley of Bend |
Lost re-election
|
|
Democratic |
Judy Stiegler |
|
|
|
Republican |
Chuck Burley |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
55 |
|
Republican |
George Gilman of Bend |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
George Gilman |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
56 |
|
Republican |
Bill Garrard of Klamath Falls |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Bill Garrard |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
57 |
|
Republican |
Greg Smith of Heppner |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Greg Smith |
|
|
|
Democratic |
Jerome (Jerry) Sebestyen |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
58 |
|
Republican |
Bob Jenson of Pendleton |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Bob Jenson |
|
|
|
Democratic |
Ben Talley[27] |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
59 |
|
Republican |
John Huffman of The Dalles |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
John Huffman |
|
|
|
Democratic |
Mike Ahern |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
60 |
|
Republican |
Cliff Bentz of Ontario |
Re-elected
|
|
Republican |
Cliff Bentz[28] |
|
|
|
|
write-ins |
|
|
Citations and primary election notes
- ↑ Sinks, James (June 23, 2008). "On east side, 6 from GOP earn Democrats' nod". The Bend Bulletin.
- ↑ "November 4, 2008, General Election Abstracts of Votes: State Senate" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
- ↑ Defeated Sarah Arcune and Herman Joseph Baurer in the Republican primary.
- ↑ Defeated Steven Frank in the Democratic primary.
- ↑ Ran for Oregon Secretary of State
- ↑ Defeated Sean Cruz in the Democratic primary.
- ↑ Successful write-in candidate; see Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division Official Results.
- ↑ Ran for Oregon State Treasurer
- ↑ Defeated John Robbins in the Republican primary
- ↑ "November 4, 2008, General Election Abstracts of Votes: State Representative" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
- ↑ Defeated Jim Fox in the Republican primary.
- ↑ Defeated G. Nick McKibbin in the Democratic primary.
- ↑ Defeated Bruce Cuff, Marc Lucca, and Cliff Wooten in the Republican primary.
- ↑ Ran successfully for the Oregon Senate
- ↑ Defeated Craig Pope in the Republican primary.
- ↑ Defeated Wesley West in the Democratic primary.
- ↑ Defeated Jim Bunn and Edward (Ed) Glad in the Republican primary.
- ↑ Ran unsuccessfully for Oregon Attorney General
- ↑ Defeated Linda Brown in the Democratic primary.
- ↑ Ran successfully for the Oregon Senate.
- ↑ Defeated Regan Felice Gray, Gordon Hillesland, and Teddy Keizer in the Democratic primary.
- ↑ Defeated Cyreena Boston and Jon Coney in the Democratic primary.
- ↑ Ran successfully for United States Senate
- ↑ Defeated Barbara Kyle in the Democratic primary.
- ↑ Defeated Steve Richkind in the Democratic primary.
- ↑ Defeated Phyllis Thiemann in the Republican primary.
- ↑ Defeated Barbara Ann Wright in the Democratic primary.
- ↑ Defeated Tim K. Smith in the Republican primary.