Oregon elections, 2014
 | Oregon's 2014 elections U.S. Senate • U.S. House • Governor • State Senate • State House • State ballot measures • Judicial • Candidate ballot access |  |
2015→ ←2013 |
Thestate ofOregon held elections in 2014.Below are the dates of note:
| 2014 elections and events in Oregon | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filing deadline for primary election candidates | March 11, 2014 | |||
| Voter registration deadline for primary election | April 29, 2014 | |||
| Primary election date | May 20, 2014 | |||
| Local ballot measure elections (2) | May 20, 2014 | |||
| Petition drive deadline for ballot measures | July 3, 2014 | |||
| Filing deadline for general election candidates | August 26, 2014 | |||
| Voter registration deadline for general election | October 14, 2014 | |||
| General election date | November 4, 2014 | |||
| Statewide ballot measure election | November 4, 2014 | |||
Below are the types of elections that were scheduled inOregon in 2014:
2014 elections
Races to watch in Oregon
Oregon State Legislature
Elections for theOregon State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 11, 2014. Heading into the election, theDemocratic Party controlled the chamber. The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6, 2012, general election.
| 2012 Margin of Victory, Oregon State Senate | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Winner | Margin of Victory | Total Votes | Top Opponent |
| District 25 |  Laurie Monnes Anderson | 9.3% | 42,952 | Scott Hansen |
| District 5 | Arnie Roblan | 9.7% | 55,322 | Scott Roberts |
| District 27 |  Tim Knopp | 18.4% | 59,797 | Geri Hauser |
| District 12 | Brian Boquist | 20.3% | 56,573 | Annette Frank |
| District 14 | Mark Hass | 23.7% | 53,530 | Gary Coe |
| District 9 | Fred Girod | 28.7% | 51,729 | Steve Frank |
| District 2 | Herman Baertschiger, Jr. | 30.8% | 52,639 | Jim Diefenderfer |
| District 17 | Elizabeth Steiner Hayward | 33.1% | 56,424 | John Verbeek |
| District 29 | Bill Hansell | 37.2% | 44,527 | Antone Minthorn |
| District 18 | Ginny Burdick | 39% | 62,449 | Suzanne Gallagher |
Elections for theOregon House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 11, 2014. Heading into the election, theDemocratic Party controlled the chamber. The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6, 2012, general election.
| 2012 Margin of Victory, Oregon House of Representatives | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Winner | Margin of Victory | Total Votes | Top Opponent |
| District 40 | Brent Barton | 1.3% | 27,818 | Steve Newgard |
| District 52 | Mark Johnson | 3.4% | 27,751 | Peter Nordbye |
| District 30 | Joe Gallegos | 4.8% | 24,836 | Shawn Lindsay |
| District 37 | Julie Parrish | 5.4% | 20,561 | Carl Hosticka |
| District 51 | Shemia Fagan | 5.8% | 23,783 | Patrick Sheehan |
| District 29 | Ben Unger | 7.2% | 21,100 | Katie Eyre |
| District 22 | Betty Komp | 7.5% | 14,002 | Kathy LeCompte |
| District 12 | John Lively | 7.8% | 22,655 | Joe Pishioneri |
| District 49 | Chris Gorsek | 8.8% | 21,061 | Matthew Wand |
| District 24 | Jim Weidner | 10.9% | 27,065 | Kathy Campbell |
Elections by type
U.S. Senate
U.S. Senate elections in Oregon
Voters inOregonelected one member to theU.S. Senate in theelection on November 4, 2014.
| Candidate Filing Deadline | Primary Election | General Election |
|---|---|---|
Primary: Aprimary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Oregon law allows parties to decide whether unaffiliated voters can vote in their primaries. As of December 2025, both major parties utilized aclosed primary process where only registered party members may participate.[1]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, seethis article.
Voter registration: Tovote in the primary, voters had to register by April 29, 2014. For thegeneral election, the voter registration deadline was October 14, 2014.[2]
- See also:Oregon elections, 2014
Incumbent: The election filled the Senate seat held byJeff Merkley (D). Merkley was first elected in 2008.
Candidates
Note: The filing deadline for candidates was March 11, 2014.
General election candidates
Jeff Merkley - Incumbent[3][4]
a- Monica Wehby - Pediatric neurosurgeon[3]
Mike Montchalin[5]
James Leuenberger[5]
Christina Jean Lugo - Pacific Green Party[5]
May 20, 2014, primary results
|
|
Withdrew from race
Declined to run
- Sam Carpenter - Businessman[10]
Race background
IncumbentJeff Merkley, who wasSpeaker of the Oregon House of Representatives, defeated two-termRepublican incumbent Gordon H. Smith with 49 percent of the vote in 2008 to win the seat.[11][12]
U.S. House
U.S. House of Representatives elections in Oregon
The2014 U.S. House of Representatives elections inOregon took place onNovember 4, 2014. Voterselected five candidates to serve in theU.S. House, one from each of the state's five congressional districts.
| Candidate Filing Deadline | Primary Election | General Election |
|---|---|---|
Primary: Aprimary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Oregon law allows parties to decide whether unaffiliated voters can vote in their primaries. As of December 2025, both major parties utilized aclosed primary process where only registered party members may participate.[1]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, seethis article.
Voter registration: Tovote in the primary, voters had to register by April 29, 2014. For thegeneral election, the voter registration deadline was October 14, 2014.[13]
- See also:Oregon elections, 2014
Partisan breakdown
Heading into the November 4 election, the Democratic Party held four of the five congressional seats fromOregon.
| Members of the U.S. House from Oregon -- Partisan Breakdown | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 2014 | After the 2014 Election | |
| Democratic Party | 4 | 4 | |
| Republican Party | 1 | 1 | |
| Total | 5 | 5 | |
Incumbents
Heading into the 2014 election, the incumbents for the five congressional districts were:
| Name | Party | District |
|---|---|---|
| Suzanne Bonamici |  Democratic | 1 |
| Greg Walden |  Republican | 2 |
| Earl Blumenauer | Democratic | 3 |
| Peter DeFazio | Democratic | 4 |
| Kurt Schrader | Democratic | 5 |
List of candidates by district
- Note: The filing deadline for candidates was March 11, 2014.
1st Congressional District
General election candidates
- Suzanne Bonamici - Incumbent[3][4]a
- Jason Yates[3][4]
- James Foster[5]
- Steven Cody Reynolds -Progressive and PacificGreen Party[5]
May 20, 2014, primary results
|
|
2nd Congressional District
General election candidates
May 20, 2014, primary results
|
|
3rd Congressional District
General election candidates
- Earl Blumenauer - Incumbent[3]a
- James Buchal[3][5][4]
- Jeffrey Langan[5]
- Michael Meo - Pacific Green Party[5]
- David Walker - nonaffiliated[4]
May 20, 2014, primary results
|
|
4th Congressional District
General election candidates
- Peter DeFazio - Incumbent[3][4]a
- Art Robinson -Oregon'sRepublican Party state chairman[3]
- David Chester[5]
- Michael Beilstein - Pacific Green Party[5]
May 20, 2014, primary results
|
|
5th Congressional District
General election candidates
May 20, 2014, primary results
|
|
Withdrew from race
- Christina Jean Lugo - Pacific Green Party[5][4]
State Executives
State executive official elections in Oregon
Two state executive positions were up for election in2014 in the state of Oregon.
The following offices were elected in 2014 inOregon:
List of candidates by office
- Note: The filing deadline for candidates was March 11, 2014.
Governor
General election
John Kitzhaber -Incumbent
Dennis Richardson - State Representative[20]Paul GradAaron Auer - Pastor[21]Jason LevinProgressive Party candidateChris Henry
Lost in the primary
Ifeanyichukwu Diru[22]Gordon Challstrom - Businessman[23]Tim Carr - Former businessman[24]Bruce Cuff[25]Darren Karr[25]Mae Rafferty[25]
Withdrawn
Allen Alley - Businessman, 2010 gubernatorial candidate[26][22]Jon Justesen - Rancher and businessman[27][25]Bruce Hanna - State Representative[28][25]
Down ballot offices
| Office | Incumbent | Assumed Office | Incumbent running? | General Election Candidates | 2015 Winner | Partisan Switch? |
| Commissioner of Labor and Industries | Brad Avakian | 2008 | Yes | Brad Avakian | Brad Avakian | No |
State Senate
State Senate election in Oregon
Elections for theOregon State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 11, 2014.
Majority control
Heading into the November 4 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in theOregon State Senate:
| Oregon State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2014 | After November 4, 2014 | |
| Democratic Party | 16 | 18 | |
| Republican Party | 14 | 12 | |
| Total | 30 | 30 | |
List of candidates by district
- Note: The filing deadline for candidates was March 11, 2014.
District 3 •District 4 •District 6 •District 7 •District 8 •District 10 •District 11 •District 13 •District 15 •District 16 •District 17 •District 19 •District 20 •District 24 •District 26
State House
State House elections in Oregon
Elections for theOregon House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 11, 2014.
Majority control
Heading into the November 4 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in theOregon House of Representatives:
| Oregon House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2014 | After November 4, 2014 | |
| Democratic Party | 34 | 35 | |
| Republican Party | 26 | 25 | |
| Total | 60 | 60 | |
List of candidates by district
- Note: The filing deadline for candidates was March 11, 2014.
District 1 •District 2 •District 3 •District 4 •District 5 •District 6 •District 7 •District 8 •District 9 •District 10 •District 11 •District 12 •District 13 •District 14 •District 15 •District 16 •District 17 •District 18 •District 19 •District 20 •District 21 •District 22•District 23 •District 24 •District 25 •District 26 •District 27 •District 28 •District 29 •District 30 •District 31 •District 32 •District 33 •District 34 •District 35 •District 36 •District 37 •District 38 •District 39 •District 40 •District 41 •District 42 •District 43 •District 44 •District 45 •District 46 •District 47 •District 48 •District 49 •District 50 •District 51 •District 52•District 53 •District 54 •District 55 •District 56 •District 57 •District 58 •District 59 •District 60
Statewide ballot measures
Statewide ballot measure elections in Oregon
- See also:Oregon 2014 ballot measures and2014 ballot measures
Seven statewide ballot measures were certified for the2014 ballot in the state ofOregon.
On the ballot
November 4:
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LRCA | Measure 86 | Education | AmendsOregon Constitution to create fund for Oregonians pursuing post-secondary education; authorizes debt to finance |  d |
| LRCA | Measure 87 | Judiciary | Allows judges to be hired by the National Guard and public universities; allows school employees to serve in the legislature | a |
| VR | Measure 88 | Immigration | Upholds four-year driver licenses for those who cannot prove legal presence in the United States | d |
| CICA | Measure 89 | Constitutional Rights | Guarantees equal rights regardless of sex | a |
| CISS | Measure 90 | Elections | Creates an open, top-two primary election system | d |
| CISS | Measure 91 | Marijuana | Legalizes recreational marijuana; tasks Oregon Liquor Control Commission with regulation of its sale | a |
| CISS | Measure 92 | Business Reg | Mandates labeling of certain foodstuffs that contain genetically modified organisms | d |
Local ballot measures
Local ballot measure elections in Oregon
Elections by date
Click below for more information about local ballot measure elections on:
Voting in Oregon
- See also:Voting in Oregon
Important voting information
- Aprimary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Oregon law allows parties to decide whether unaffiliated voters can vote in their primaries. As of December 2025, both major parties utilized aclosed primary process where only registered party members may participate.[1]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, seethis article.
- Oregon has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visitingthis website.
Voting absentee
- See also:Absentee voting by state
For information abouteligibility,deadlines,military and overseas voting andupdates to the voting laws in Oregon, please visit ourabsentee voting by state page.
Voting early
- See also:Early voting
Oregon exclusively uses a vote-by-mail system. As such, there is no need for explicit absentee or early voting procedures.[29]
Elections Performance Index
Oregon rankedthird out of the 50 states and District of Columbia in thePew Charitable Trusts' Elections Performance Index (EPI), based on the2012 elections. The EPI examined election administration performance and assigned an average percentage score based on 17 indicators of election performance. These indicators were chosen in order to determine both the convenience and integrity of these three phases of an election: registration, voting and counting. Oregon received an overall score of 75 percent.[30]
See also
Footnotes
- ↑1.01.11.2Oregon Laws, "Or. Rev. Stat. § 254.365," accessed December 3, 2025
- ↑Oregon Secretary of State Website, "Learn More About Voter Registration," accessed January 3, 2014
- ↑3.003.013.023.033.043.053.063.073.083.093.103.11Associated Press, "Oregon - Summary Vote Results," accessed May 20, 2014Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "primary" defined multiple times with different contentCite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "primary" defined multiple times with different contentCite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "primary" defined multiple times with different contentCite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "primary" defined multiple times with different contentCite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "primary" defined multiple times with different content - ↑4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.74.8Oregon Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Search Results," accessed September 3, 2014Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑Lane Today, "Four Challenge Merkley’s U.S. Senate Seat for 2014 Election," accessed December 31, 2013
- ↑Washington Post, "Pediatric neurosurgeon to challenge Sen. Jeff Merkley," accessed October 29, 2013
- ↑8.08.18.28.38.4Oregonlive.com, "Republican Portland neurosurgeon considering run against Jeff Merkley," accessed October 12, 2013Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "run" defined multiple times with different content - ↑Oregon Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Search Results," accessed October 6, 2014
- ↑Oregon Live, "Sam Carpenter drops out of GOP primary for U.S. Senate race in favor of Jason Conger," accessed December 31, 2013
- ↑Oregon Live, "Projection: Jeff Merkley will defeat Gordon Smith in Oregon's U.S. Senate race," accessed October 24, 2013
- ↑Portland Tribune, "Conger seeks to unseat Merkley," accessed October 24, 2013
- ↑Oregon Secretary of State Website, "Learn More About Voter Registration," accessed January 3, 2014
- ↑Capital Press, "Walden may be challenged in GOP primary," accessed September 25, 2013
- ↑Federal Election Commission, "Charles Vulliet," accessed October 30, 2013
- ↑Federal Election Commission, "James Laurence Buchal 2014 Summary reports," accessed November 23, 2013
- ↑Oregon Live.com, "Art Robinson files to run for third time against Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio," accessed November 6, 2013
- ↑Oregon Live, "Republican Ben Pollock announces candidacy for Kurt Schrader's congressional seat," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑Oregon Live, "Tootie Smith launches exploratory campaign for Kurt Schrader's Oregon House seat," accessed October 23, 2013
- ↑Oregon Live, "Oregon Rep. Dennis Richardson announces run for governor," July 24, 2013
- ↑Constitution Party of Oregon, "Aaron Auer – Candidate For Governor 2014," accessed April 17, 2014
- ↑22.022.1The Oregonian, "Election 2014: Some surprises on the last day to file for Oregon primary," March 12, 2014
- ↑Oregon Secretary of State, "Candidate Information," January 10, 2014
- ↑The Oregonian, "Portland businessman becomes latest to join growing group of Republican candidates for governor," January 14, 2014
- ↑25.025.125.225.325.4The Statesman-Journal, "A complete list of primary election races for the city, county and state," March 12, 2014
- ↑Oregon Live, "Allen Alley considering run for Oregon governor, John Kitzhaber hits the road," July 31, 2013
- ↑Oregon Live, "Eastern Oregon rancher becomes first GOP candidate for Oregon governor," April 17, 2013
- ↑Oregon Live, "Republicans search for ways to revive GOP brand in Oregon," March 10, 2013
- ↑Oregon Secretary of State, "Learn About Vote by Mail," accessed December 16, 2013
- ↑Pew Charitable Trusts, "Election Performance Index Report," accessed April 23, 2014
