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
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 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.