2008 Oregon legislative election

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
Oregon Senate districts outside the Willamette Valley.
Portland area Senate districts.
Willamette Valley Senate districts south of Portland area.

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 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
  1. Sinks, James (June 23, 2008). "On east side, 6 from GOP earn Democrats' nod". The Bend Bulletin.
  2. "November 4, 2008, General Election Abstracts of Votes: State Senate". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  3. Defeated Sarah Arcune and Herman Joseph Baurer in the Republican primary.
  4. Defeated Steven Frank in the Democratic primary.
  5. Ran for Oregon Secretary of State
  6. Defeated Sean Cruz in the Democratic primary.
  7. Successful write-in candidate; see Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division Official Results.
  8. Ran for Oregon State Treasurer
  9. Defeated John Robbins in the Republican primary
  10. "November 4, 2008, General Election Abstracts of Votes: State Representative". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  11. Defeated Jim Fox in the Republican primary.
  12. Defeated G. Nick McKibbin in the Democratic primary.
  13. Defeated Bruce Cuff, Marc Lucca, and Cliff Wooten in the Republican primary.
  14. Ran successfully for the Oregon Senate
  15. Defeated Craig Pope in the Republican primary.
  16. Defeated Wesley West in the Democratic primary.
  17. Defeated Jim Bunn and Edward (Ed) Glad in the Republican primary.
  18. Ran unsuccessfully for Oregon Attorney General
  19. Defeated Linda Brown in the Democratic primary.
  20. Ran successfully for the Oregon Senate.
  21. Defeated Regan Felice Gray, Gordon Hillesland, and Teddy Keizer in the Democratic primary.
  22. Defeated Cyreena Boston and Jon Coney in the Democratic primary.
  23. Ran successfully for United States Senate
  24. Defeated Barbara Kyle in the Democratic primary.
  25. Defeated Steve Richkind in the Democratic primary.
  26. Defeated Phyllis Thiemann in the Republican primary.
  27. Defeated Barbara Ann Wright in the Democratic primary.
  28. Defeated Tim K. Smith in the Republican primary.
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