United States Senate election in Oregon, 2008
Encyclopedia
The 2008 United States Senate election in Oregon was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Republican
U.S. Senator
Gordon Smith decided to seek re-election. Smith was the only Republican Senator from the west coast (excluding Alaska) 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.
The race was the most expensive in Oregon history. As of late October 2008, advertising related to the race exceeded $27 million, outstripping the $15 million spent on a 2007 tobacco tax ballot measure and the $14.7 million spent in the gubernatorial election of 2006
. This was one of the most competitive races during the 2008 United States Senate election
.
, although Democrats held all statewide offices in Oregon there was no clear Democratic challenger; former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber
indicated early on that he was not interested. In January 2007, while the campaign was still in its infancy, Portland
lawyer and political activist Steve Novick
wrote a lengthy critique of Gordon Smith's record in the Portland Willamette Week
. The article outlined a strategy to beat Smith, who Novick argued was actually more vulnerable than appeared. On April 18, 2007, Novick formally announced his candidacy for Senate.
By the end of May, both Congressmen Earl Blumenauer
and Peter DeFazio
had announced they were not interested in entering the race, depleting what was considered by many the "first-tier" list of candidates for the position leaving Democrats searching for more candidates. With no high-profile Democrats in the race, it was believed by that the most likely candidates would come from the state legislature. Since the legislature was still in session at the time it was considered unlikely that any prominent lawmakers would jump into the race until the end of June or later. Of those, Jeff Merkley
, then Speaker
of the Oregon House of Representatives
was considered to be the most likely to challenge Smith due to rumors that he had been in talks with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
(DSCC), which is often thought vital to winning a Senate race against a sitting incumbent.
The rumors that Merkley was being courted by the DSCC were confirmed when it was reported that he had traveled to the East Coast to discuss a possible run at the invitation of Senator Charles Schumer
of New York
, who as chairman of the DSCC was in charge of recruiting possible challengers to take on Smith. Around the same time, State Senator Alan Bates
from Jackson County
was reported to be contemplating running for the Democratic nomination. Eventually Bates decided against running and on August 1, 2007 Merkley filed papers, officially entering the race.
Merkley and Novick gave back-to-back speeches at the yearly summit of the Democratic Party of Oregon
in Sunriver
. There Novick threw a political jab, challenging Merkley's statements that he had been an opponent of the war from the start by pointing to his support of a Republican-drafted non-binding resolution in 2003, two days after the invasion began, that praised President Bush
for the invasion of Iraq and the efforts of the troops and prayed for their safety. The critique drew noticeably negative reactions from the crowd and Merkley won a straw poll at the summit, 103 to 50 for Novick.
Merkley went on to dismiss the criticism, pointing out that Legislative resolutions carry no force of law and are only statements of principle, that a legislator could freely pick and choose which parts of the resolution to support, and that he made clear that "you stand up and clarify what parts you're supporting and what parts you're opposed to and I did that more clearly than any member on the floor of the House."
By the end of November 2007, six Democratic candidates had filed papers to run for the seat: Novick, Merkley, Candy Neville a real estate agent from Eugene
, retired mental health counselor David Loera of Salem
, Roger Obrist retired construction worker of Damascus
, Oregon, and perennial candidate Pavel Goberman of Beaverton
. Some pointed discussions ensued among the candidates over a debate schedule and formats.
On January 22, 2008 four of the Democratic candidates had their first debate in Pendleton
, Oregon hosted by the East Oregonian
newspaper.
Merkley went on to defeat Novick and the four other candidates in the Democratic primary on May 20, 2008.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Gordon Smith decided to seek re-election. Smith was the only Republican Senator from the west coast (excluding Alaska) and the only Republican holding statewide office in Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. He was opposed by Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Jeff Merkley
Jeff Merkley
Jeffrey Alan "Jeff" Merkley is the junior United States Senator from Oregon. A member of the Democratic Party, Merkley was a five-term member of the Oregon Legislative Assembly representing House District 47, located in eastern Multnomah County within the Portland city limits...
, the Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives
Oregon House of Representatives
The Oregon House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 60 members of the House, representing 60 districts across the state, each with a population of 57,000. The House meets at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem....
, and David Brownlow of the Constitution Party of Oregon
Constitution Party of Oregon
The Constitution Party of Oregon is a political party organized as a minor party pursuant to state election law, and recognized by the State of Oregon as a state-wide nominating party....
. Merkley won by a narrow margin, with Smith not conceding until two days after the election.
The race was the most expensive in Oregon history. As of late October 2008, advertising related to the race exceeded $27 million, outstripping the $15 million spent on a 2007 tobacco tax ballot measure and the $14.7 million spent in the gubernatorial election of 2006
Oregon gubernatorial election, 2006
The 2006 gubernatorial election in the U.S. state of Oregon took place on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Democrat Ted Kulongoski defeated Republican Ron Saxton, winning his bid for a second term as Governor of Oregon....
. This was one of the most competitive races during the 2008 United States Senate election
United States Senate elections, 2008
Elections for the United States Senate were held on November 4, 2008, with 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate being contested. Thirty-three seats were regular elections; the winners were eligible to serve six-year terms from January 3, 2009, to January 3, 2015, as members of Senate Class II...
.
Candidates
- Pavel Goberman, perennial candidate
- David Loera, doctor
- Jeff MerkleyJeff MerkleyJeffrey Alan "Jeff" Merkley is the junior United States Senator from Oregon. A member of the Democratic Party, Merkley was a five-term member of the Oregon Legislative Assembly representing House District 47, located in eastern Multnomah County within the Portland city limits...
, Speaker of the Oregon House of RepresentativesOregon House of RepresentativesThe Oregon House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 60 members of the House, representing 60 districts across the state, each with a population of 57,000. The House meets at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem.... - Candy Neville, real estate broker/developer/builder
- Steve NovickSteve NovickSteven Novick is a political activist in Oregon and a former environmental lawyer. He ran for the Democratic Party's nomination for the United States Senate in 2008 for the Senate seat then held by Republican Gordon Smith, but narrowly lost to Oregon House speaker Jeff Merkley, who went on to...
, attorney - Roger Obrist, construction worker
Campaign
In the Democratic primaryOregon Democratic primary, 2008
The 2008 Oregon Democratic primary was a mail-only primary in the U.S. state of Oregon. Ballots were mailed to registered Democratic voters between May 2 and May 6, 2008. To be counted, all ballots had to have been received by county elections offices by 8:00 p.m. PDT on May 20, 2008...
, although Democrats held all statewide offices in Oregon there was no clear Democratic challenger; former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber
John Kitzhaber
John Albert Kitzhaber is the 37th Governor of Oregon. He served as the 35th Governor of Oregon from 1995 to 2003 and became the first person to be elected to the office three times when he was re-elected to a non-consecutive third term in 2010...
indicated early on that he was not interested. In January 2007, while the campaign was still in its infancy, Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
lawyer and political activist Steve Novick
Steve Novick
Steven Novick is a political activist in Oregon and a former environmental lawyer. He ran for the Democratic Party's nomination for the United States Senate in 2008 for the Senate seat then held by Republican Gordon Smith, but narrowly lost to Oregon House speaker Jeff Merkley, who went on to...
wrote a lengthy critique of Gordon Smith's record in the Portland Willamette Week
Willamette Week
Willamette Week is an alternative weekly newspaper published in Portland, Oregon, United States. It features reports on local news, politics, sports, business and culture....
. The article outlined a strategy to beat Smith, who Novick argued was actually more vulnerable than appeared. On April 18, 2007, Novick formally announced his candidacy for Senate.
By the end of May, both Congressmen Earl Blumenauer
Earl Blumenauer
Earl Blumenauer is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1996. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes most of Portland east of the Willamette River. A native of Portland, he previously spent over 20 years as a public official representing the city.-Early...
and Peter DeFazio
Peter DeFazio
Peter Anthony DeFazio is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1987. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes Eugene, Springfield, Roseburg and part of Corvallis. As Oregon's most senior member of Congress, he is the dean of Oregon's House of Representatives delegation...
had announced they were not interested in entering the race, depleting what was considered by many the "first-tier" list of candidates for the position leaving Democrats searching for more candidates. With no high-profile Democrats in the race, it was believed by that the most likely candidates would come from the state legislature. Since the legislature was still in session at the time it was considered unlikely that any prominent lawmakers would jump into the race until the end of June or later. Of those, Jeff Merkley
Jeff Merkley
Jeffrey Alan "Jeff" Merkley is the junior United States Senator from Oregon. A member of the Democratic Party, Merkley was a five-term member of the Oregon Legislative Assembly representing House District 47, located in eastern Multnomah County within the Portland city limits...
, then Speaker
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
of the Oregon House of Representatives
Oregon House of Representatives
The Oregon House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 60 members of the House, representing 60 districts across the state, each with a population of 57,000. The House meets at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem....
was considered to be the most likely to challenge Smith due to rumors that he had been in talks with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is the Democratic Hill committee for the United States Senate. It is the only organization solely dedicated to electing Democrats to the United States Senate. The DSCC's current chair is Sen. Patty Murray, who succeeded Sen. Robert Menendez following...
(DSCC), which is often thought vital to winning a Senate race against a sitting incumbent.
The rumors that Merkley was being courted by the DSCC were confirmed when it was reported that he had traveled to the East Coast to discuss a possible run at the invitation of Senator Charles Schumer
Charles Schumer
Charles Ellis "Chuck" Schumer is the senior United States Senator from New York and a member of the Democratic Party. First elected in 1998, he defeated three-term Republican incumbent Al D'Amato by a margin of 55%–44%. He was easily re-elected in 2004 by a margin of 71%–24% and in 2010 by a...
of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, who as chairman of the DSCC was in charge of recruiting possible challengers to take on Smith. Around the same time, State Senator Alan Bates
Alan Bates (Oregon politician)
Dr. Alan C. Bates is a doctor and a Democratic politician from the U.S. state of Oregon. He is a member of the Oregon State Senate, representing the 3rd District since 2005...
from Jackson County
Jackson County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument* Crater Lake National Park * Klamath National Forest * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Umpqua National Forest -Demographics:...
was reported to be contemplating running for the Democratic nomination. Eventually Bates decided against running and on August 1, 2007 Merkley filed papers, officially entering the race.
Merkley and Novick gave back-to-back speeches at the yearly summit of the Democratic Party of Oregon
Democratic Party of Oregon
The Democratic Party of Oregon, based in Portland, is the official Oregon affiliate of the United States Democratic Party. It is recognized by the state of Oregon as a major political party, along with the Oregon Republican Party...
in Sunriver
Sunriver, Oregon
Sunriver, Oregon is a private planned resort community in Deschutes County, Oregon, United States. It is part of the Bend, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. There Novick threw a political jab, challenging Merkley's statements that he had been an opponent of the war from the start by pointing to his support of a Republican-drafted non-binding resolution in 2003, two days after the invasion began, that praised President Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
for the invasion of Iraq and the efforts of the troops and prayed for their safety. The critique drew noticeably negative reactions from the crowd and Merkley won a straw poll at the summit, 103 to 50 for Novick.
Merkley went on to dismiss the criticism, pointing out that Legislative resolutions carry no force of law and are only statements of principle, that a legislator could freely pick and choose which parts of the resolution to support, and that he made clear that "you stand up and clarify what parts you're supporting and what parts you're opposed to and I did that more clearly than any member on the floor of the House."
By the end of November 2007, six Democratic candidates had filed papers to run for the seat: Novick, Merkley, Candy Neville a real estate agent from Eugene
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
, retired mental health counselor David Loera of Salem
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
, Roger Obrist retired construction worker of Damascus
Damascus, Oregon
Damascus is a city in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States. Incorporated in 2004, the city is located east of Happy Valley and Interstate 205 and west of Boring. The area that later became the city had a population of 9,022 in 2000...
, Oregon, and perennial candidate Pavel Goberman of Beaverton
Beaverton, Oregon
Beaverton is a city in Washington County, Oregon, United States, seven miles west of Portland in the Tualatin River Valley.As of the 2010 census, the population is 90,267. This makes it the second-largest city in the county and Oregon's sixth-largest city...
. Some pointed discussions ensued among the candidates over a debate schedule and formats.
On January 22, 2008 four of the Democratic candidates had their first debate in Pendleton
Pendleton, Oregon
Pendleton is a city in Umatilla County, Oregon, United States. Pendleton was named in 1868 by the county commissioners for George H. Pendleton, Democratic candidate for Vice-President in the 1864 presidential campaign. The population was 16,612 at the 2010 census...
, Oregon hosted by the East Oregonian
East Oregonian
The East Oregonian is a daily newspaper published in Pendleton, Oregon, United States and covering Umatilla and Morrow counties. The newspaper was established in 1875 as a weekly by M. P. Bull. In 1882, C. S. "Sam" Jackson purchased the EO. Within a year it had become a semiweekly, and in 1888,...
newspaper.
Merkley went on to defeat Novick and the four other candidates in the Democratic primary on May 20, 2008.
Results
Candidates
- Gordon Leitch, ophthalmologist
- Gordon Smith, incumbent U.S. Senator
Results
Major
- Jeff Merkley (D), Speaker of the State House
- Gordon Smith (R), incumbent U.S. Senator
Minor
- David Brownlow (C), at its statewide nominating convention on June 7, 2008, the Constitution Party of OregonConstitution Party of OregonThe Constitution Party of Oregon is a political party organized as a minor party pursuant to state election law, and recognized by the State of Oregon as a state-wide nominating party....
named him as its Senate nominee.
Predictions
CQ Politics had rated the race as 'No Clear Favorite'. In September the The Rothenberg Political Report considered it a 'Lean Takeover'. As late as October 2008, The Cook Political Report still considered it a 'Toss-Up'.Polling
| Source | Date | Smith (R) | Merkley (D) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmussen Reports | October 30, 2008 | 46% | 49% |
| Survey USA | October 26, 2008 | 42% | 49% |
| DHM | October 25, 2008 | 40% | 45% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 14, 2008 | 47% | 47% |
| Survey USA | October 12, 2008 | 41% | 46% |
| Survey USA | September 23, 2008 | 42% | 44% |
| Rasmussen Reports | September 15, 2008 | 46% | 45% |
| DHM | September 14, 2008 | 42% | 39% |
| Rasmussen Reports | August 7, 2008 | 50% | 44% |
| Survey USA | August 4, 2008 | 49% | 37% |
| Rasmussen Reports | July 15, 2008 | 41% | 43% |
| Rasmussen Reports | June 11, 2008 | 47% | 38% |
| Rasmussen Reports | May 7, 2008 | 45% | 42% |
| Rasmussen Reports | March 25, 2008 | 47% | 34% |
| Rasmussen Reports | February 19, 2008 | 48% | 30% |
| Oregon Live | December 19, 2007 | 39% | 12% |
| SurveyUSA | November 5, 2007 | 48% | 39% |
| Riley Research | August 20, 2007 | 38% | 19% |
Overall
County results
| County | Smith | % | Merkley Jeff Merkley Jeffrey Alan "Jeff" Merkley is the junior United States Senator from Oregon. A member of the Democratic Party, Merkley was a five-term member of the Oregon Legislative Assembly representing House District 47, located in eastern Multnomah County within the Portland city limits... |
% | Brownlow | % | Others | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baker Baker County, Oregon Baker County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is included in the 8 county definition of Eastern Oregon. It is named for Edward Dickinson Baker, a senator from Oregon who was killed at Ball's Bluff, a battle of the Civil War in Virginia in 1861. It was split from the eastern part... |
5,662 | 66.37 | 2,203 | 25.82 | 652 | 7.64 | 14 | 0.16 |
| Benton Benton County, Oregon -National protected areas:*Siuslaw National Forest *William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 78,153 people, 30,145 households, and 18,237 families residing in the county. The population density was 116 people per square mile . There were 31,980... |
17,933 | 40.23 | 24,911 | 55.89 | 1,567 | 3.52 | 163 | 0.37 |
| Clackamas Clackamas County, Oregon Clackamas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county was named after the Native Americans living in the area, the Clackamas Indians, who were part of the Chinookan people. As of 2010, the population was 375,992... |
92,780 | 49.97 | 83,558 | 45.00 | 8,851 | 4.77 | 479 | 0.26 |
| Clatsop Clatsop County, Oregon Clatsop County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county is named for the Clatsop tribe of Native Americans, who lived along the coast of the Pacific Ocean prior to European settlement. As of 2010, the population was 37,039. The county seat is Astoria.-Economy:The principal... |
7,939 | 44.48 | 8,795 | 49.28 | 1,062 | 5.95 | 52 | 0.29 |
| Columbia Columbia County, Oregon Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It was named for the Columbia River, which forms its eastern and northern borders. As of 2010, its population was 49,351. The county seat is St. Helens.-Economy:... |
10,679 | 44.44 | 11,166 | 46.46 | 2,091 | 8.70 | 95 | 0.40 |
| Coos Coos County, Oregon -National protected areas:*Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge*Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge *Siskiyou National Forest *Siuslaw National Forest - Incorporated cities:- Unincorporated communities and CDPs:-See also:... |
14,838 | 49.72 | 12,621 | 42.29 | 2,319 | 7.77 | 67 | 0.22 |
| Crook Crook County, Oregon -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 19,182 people, 7,354 households, and 5,427 families residing in the county. The population density was 6 people per square mile . There were 8,264 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile... |
6,436 | 64.31 | 2,735 | 27.33 | 804 | 8.03 | 32 | 0.32 |
| Curry Curry County, Oregon Curry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. In 2010, its population was 22,364. The county is named for George Law Curry, a governor of the Oregon Territory. The seat of the county is Gold Beach.-Economy:... |
6,679 | 55.86 | 4,410 | 36.88 | 843 | 7.05 | 25 | 0.21 |
| Deschutes Deschutes County, Oregon -National protected areas:* Deschutes National Forest * Newberry National Volcanic Monument-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 115,367 people, 45,595 households, and 31,962 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile . There were 54,583... |
41,108 | 53.78 | 31,024 | 40.59 | 4,113 | 5.38 | 197 | 0.26 |
| Douglas Douglas County, Oregon -National protected areas:* Crater Lake National Park * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Siuslaw National Forest * Umpqua National Forest * Willamette National Forest -Adjacent counties:* Lane County, Oregon -... |
29,969 | 58.63 | 17,387 | 34.02 | 3,626 | 7.09 | 130 | 0.25 |
| Gilliam Gilliam County, Oregon -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,915 people, 819 households, and 543 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile . There were 1,043 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile... |
699 | 64.66 | 302 | 27.94 | 78 | 7.22 | 2 | 0.19 |
| Grant Grant County, Oregon Grant County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is included in the 8 county definition of Eastern Oregon. In 2010, its population was 7,445. It is named for President Ulysses S. Grant, who served as an army officer in the Oregon Territory, and at the time of the county's creation... |
2,821 | 74.12 | 748 | 19.65 | 232 | 6.10 | 5 | 0.13 |
| Harney Harney County, Oregon -National protected areas:*Malheur National Forest *Malheur National Wildlife Refuge*Ochoco National Forest -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 7,609 people, 3,036 households, and 2,094 families residing in the county. The population density was 1 people per square mile... |
2,574 | 71.98 | 755 | 21.11 | 242 | 6.77 | 5 | 0.14 |
| Hood River Hood River County, Oregon -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 20,411 people, 7,248 households, and 5,175 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile . There were 7,818 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile... |
4,070 | 42.68 | 5,045 | 52.90 | 403 | 4.23 | 18 | 0.19 |
| Jackson Jackson County, Oregon -National protected areas:* Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument* Crater Lake National Park * Klamath National Forest * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Umpqua National Forest -Demographics:... |
49,225 | 50.53 | 41,828 | 42.94 | 6,071 | 6.23 | 296 | 0.30 |
| Jefferson Jefferson County, Oregon Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. In 2010, its population was 21,720. It is named after Mount Jefferson. The seat of the county is Madras.-History:... |
4,788 | 59.26 | 2,705 | 33.48 | 564 | 6.98 | 22 | 0.27 |
| Josephine Josephine County, Oregon Josephine County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. According to Oregon Geographic Names, the county is probably named after a stream in the area called Josephine Creek, which in turn is probably named after Virginia Josephine Rollins Ort. In 2010, its population was 82,713... |
22,790 | 56.30 | 14,153 | 34.97 | 3,409 | 8.42 | 125 | 0.31 |
| Klamath Klamath County, Oregon -National protected areas:* Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge* Crater Lake National Park * Deschutes National Forest * Fremont National Forest * Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge* Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge... |
19,241 | 67.51 | 7,005 | 24.58 | 2,152 | 7.55 | 104 | 0.36 |
| Lake Lake County, Oregon Lake County is a county in the high desert south central region of the U.S. state of Oregon, so named for the many lakes found within its boundaries, including Lake Abert, Hart Lake Reservoir, and Goose Lake. While Lake is among Oregon's largest counties, it is sparsely populated with 7,895... |
2,697 | 74.79 | 668 | 18.52 | 234 | 6.49 | 7 | 0.19 |
| Lane Lane County, Oregon -National protected areas:*Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge *Siuslaw National Forest *Umpqua National Forest *Willamette National Forest -Government:... |
66,936 | 37.52 | 103,631 | 58.09 | 7,393 | 4.14 | 449 | 0.25 |
| Lincoln Lincoln County, Oregon -National protected areas:*Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge *Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge*Siuslaw National Forest -Demographics:... |
9,464 | 40.78 | 12,097 | 52.13 | 1,598 | 6.89 | 47 | 0.20 |
| Linn Linn County, Oregon Linn County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is named in honor of Lewis F. Linn, a U.S. Senator from Missouri who advocated the American occupation of the Oregon Country. By the 2010 US census the population of Linn county was 116,672 showing a 13.2% growth since the 2000 census... |
27,047 | 54.29 | 18,403 | 36.94 | 4,180 | 8.39 | 192 | 0.39 |
| Malheur Malheur County, Oregon Malheur County is a county located in the southeast corner of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is included in the eight-county definition of Eastern Oregon. Most of the county observes the Mountain Time Zone, although the southern quarter of the county observes the Pacific Time Zone along with the... |
7,355 | 73.21 | 2,218 | 22.08 | 469 | 4.67 | 5 | 0.05 |
| Marion Marion County, Oregon Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It was originally named the Champooick District, after Champoeg, a meeting place on the Willamette River. On September 3, 1849, the territorial legislature renamed it in honor of Francis Marion, a Continental Army general of the... |
62,560 | 51.71 | 49,626 | 41.02 | 8,359 | 6.91 | 441 | 0.36 |
| Morrow Morrow County, Oregon Morrow County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon, on the south side of the Columbia River. It is included in the 8 county definition of Eastern Oregon. The county is named for one of its first white settlers, Jackson L. Morrow, who was a member of the state legislature when the county... |
2,751 | 68.57 | 988 | 24.63 | 266 | 6.63 | 7 | 0.17 |
| Multnomah Multnomah County, Oregon Multnomah County is one of 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. Though smallest in area, it is the most populous as its county seat, Portland, is the state's largest city... |
95,950 | 27.25 | 242,518 | 68.87 | 12,410 | 3.52 | 1,284 | 0.36 |
| Polk Polk County, Oregon Polk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county is named for James Knox Polk, the 11th president of the United States. In 2010, its population was 75,403. The seat of the county is Dallas.... |
18,718 | 53.53 | 13,906 | 39.77 | 2,195 | 6.28 | 147 | 0.42 |
| Sherman Sherman County, Oregon Sherman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county is named for William Tecumseh Sherman, a Union general in the American Civil War. In 2010, its population was 1,765. The seat of the county is Moro. The largest city is Wasco.... |
685 | 66.96 | 277 | 27.08 | 54 | 5.28 | 7 | 0.68 |
| Tillamook Tillamook County, Oregon Tillamook County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county is named for the Tillamook, a Native American tribe who were living in the area in the early 19th century at the time of European American settlement. In 2010, the county's population was 25,250... |
6,516 | 50.44 | 5,540 | 42.89 | 826 | 6.39 | 36 | 0.28 |
| Umatilla Umatilla County, Oregon Umatilla County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is included in the 8 county definition of Eastern Oregon. The county is named for the Umatilla River. In 2010, its population was 75,889... |
17,933 | 71.74 | 5,948 | 23.80 | 1,068 | 4.27 | 47 | 0.19 |
| Union Union County, Oregon Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is included in the 8 county definition of Eastern Oregon. The county is named for the town of Union, which is located within its boundaries; in 2010, the county population was 25,748. The county seat is La Grande.-History:Union County... |
8,230 | 67.13 | 3,329 | 27.15 | 676 | 5.51 | 25 | 0.20 |
| Wallowa Wallowa County, Oregon Wallowa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is included in the 8 county definition of Eastern Oregon. According to Oregon Geographic Names, the origins of the county's name are uncertain, with the most likely explanation being that it is derived from the Nez Perce term for a... |
3,226 | 74.20 | 940 | 21.62 | 177 | 4.07 | 5 | 0.11 |
| Wasco Wasco County, Oregon Wasco County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county is named for a local tribe of Native Americans, the Wasco, a Chinook tribe who lived on the south side of the Columbia River. In 2010, its population was 25,213... |
5,762 | 51.96 | 4,586 | 41.36 | 718 | 6.47 | 23 | 0.21 |
| Washington Washington County, Oregon - Major highways :* Interstate 5* Interstate 205* U.S. Route 26* Oregon Route 6* Oregon Route 8* Oregon Route 10* Oregon Route 47* Oregon Route 99W* Oregon Route 210* Oregon Route 217* Oregon Route 219-Demographics:... |
106,114 | 46.53 | 111,367 | 48.84 | 9,886 | 4.34 | 678 | 0.30 |
| Wheeler Wheeler County, Oregon As of the census of 2000, there were 1,547 people, 653 households, and 444 families residing in the county. The population density was 1 people per square mile . There were 842 housing units at an average density of 0 per square mile... |
509 | 64.35 | 212 | 26.80 | 68 | 8.60 | 2 | 0.25 |
| Yamhill Yamhill County, Oregon -National protected areas:*Siuslaw National Forest *Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 84,992 people, 28,732 households, and 21,376 families residing in the county. The population density was 119 people per square mile . There were 30,270... |
22,475 | 53.10 | 16,787 | 39.66 | 2,909 | 6.87 | 155 | 0.37 |
See also
- List of United States Senators from Oregon
- United States Senate elections, 2008United States Senate elections, 2008Elections for the United States Senate were held on November 4, 2008, with 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate being contested. Thirty-three seats were regular elections; the winners were eligible to serve six-year terms from January 3, 2009, to January 3, 2015, as members of Senate Class II...
- Oregon Senate elections, 2008Oregon Senate elections, 2008Elections for the 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...
External links
- Elections Division from the Oregon Secretary of State
- U.S. Congress candidates for Oregon at Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...
- Oregon U.S. Senate race from Congress.org
- Oregon U.S. Senate race from CQ Politics
- Oregon U.S. Senate race from The Green Papers
- Oregon U.S. Senate from OurCampaigns.com
- Oregon U.S. Senate race from 2008 Race Tracker
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Smith (R-i) vs Merkley (D) graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com