2014 Oregon gubernatorial election

2014 Oregon gubernatorial election

← 2010 November 4, 2014 2016 (special) →
 
Nominee John Kitzhaber Dennis Richardson
Party Democratic Republican
Alliance Working Families Independent Party
Popular vote 733,230 648,542
Percentage 49.89% 44.13%

County results

Kitzhaber:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Richardson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election

John Kitzhaber
Democratic

Elected Governor

John Kitzhaber
Democratic

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.

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 called the election in his favor by 9:00 p.m. on election night. Kitzhaber thanked his supporters for a successful race, while 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 last gubernatorial election in Oregon where Clatsop County supported the Republican candidate, and the last 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]

This is the last time that a man was elected Governor of Oregon.

  1. ^ a b Gunderson, Laura (November 5, 2014). "John Kitzhaber asks Oregon lawmakers to leave behind 'difficult campaign,' start healing". The Oregonian.
  2. ^ Gunderson, Laura (November 4, 2014). "Dennis Richardson refuses to concede, John Kitzhaber thanks voters for a fourth term: Oregon election results 2014". The Oregonian.
  3. ^ Ostermeier, Eric (December 10, 2013). "Kitzhaber Launches Bid to Become 2nd Longest-Serving Governor in History". Smart Politics.
  4. ^ Nakamura, Beth (February 13, 2015). "Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber resigns amid criminal investigation, growing scandal". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. Retrieved February 13, 2015.