On November 6, 2012, the U.S. state of Oregon held statewide general elections for four statewide offices (secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer, and commissioner of labor), both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly, and several state ballot measures.
The primary elections were held on May 15, 2012. Both elections also included national races for President of the United States and five U.S. House Representatives. Numerous local jurisdictions — cities, counties, and regional government entities — held elections for various local offices and ballot measures on these days as well.
Votes/ Percentage
🟦 Rosenblum
| 917,627 | 56.17% |
🟪 Leuenberger
| 45,451 | 2.78% |
🟥 Buchal:
| 639,363 | 39.14% |
Federal
President of the United States
Main article: 2012 United States presidential election in Oregon See also: 2012 United States presidential electionDemocratic incumbent Barack Obama defeated his Republican opponent Mitt Romney in the national presidential election. In Oregon, the voters also chose Obama, giving him all of Oregon's 7 electoral votes.
United States House of Representatives
Main article: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon See also: 2012 United States House of Representatives electionsAll five of Oregon's seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for re-election in 2012. All five incumbents ran for and won re-election, including Democrat Suzanne Bonamici who won a special election in District 1 earlier in the year to replace Democrat David Wu.
Statewide
Attorney General
Incumbent Oregon Attorney General John Kroger, first elected in 2008, announced in October 2011 that he would not seek a second term, citing undisclosed medical issues. In April 2012, he announced would resign his office in June to become president of Reed College. On June 29, Democrat Ellen Rosenblum was sworn in as interim attorney general. Rosenblum, a former judge on the Oregon Court of Appeals, also defeated former U.S. Attorney Dwight Holton in the Democratic primary and will compete for a full term in November against Republican attorney James Buchal, who had a successful write-in campaign in the Republican primary.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Dwight Holton, former interim U.S. Attorney for Oregon
- Ellen Rosenblum, former Oregon Court of Appeals judge
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ellen Rosenblum | 202,935 | 64.5 | |
| Democratic | Dwight Holton | 110,891 | 35.3 | |
| Democratic | write-ins | 657 | 0.2 | |
| Total votes | 305,545 | 100 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
No Republican filed to run in the primary, but a few weeks before the primary election, party officials sent postcards to Republicans urging them to write in Portland lawyer James Buchal. Buchal qualified for the general election with more than half the more than 25,000 write-in votes cast.
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | James Buchal (write-in candidate) | 12,816 | 50.4 | |
| Republican | other write-ins | 12,622 | 49.6 | |
| Total votes | 25,438 | 100 | ||
General election
Candidates
- James Buchal (Republican), attorney
- Chris Henry (Progressive), truck driver
- James E. Leuenberger (Constitution, Libertarian), attorney
- Ellen Rosenblum (Democrat), interim attorney general, former Oregon Court of Appeals judge
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Ellen Rosenblum (D) |
James Buchal (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | June 21–24, 2012 | 686 | ± 3.7% | 46% | 33% | 20% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ellen Rosenblum | 917,627 | 56.17 | |
| Republican | James Buchal | 639,363 | 39.14 | |
| Constitution | James E. Leuenberger | 45,451 | 2.78 | |
| Progressive | Chris Henry | 28,187 | 1.73 | |
| write-ins | 2,975 | 0.18 | ||
| Total votes | 1,633,603 | 100 | ||
Secretary of State
See also: 2012 Oregon Secretary of State electionIncumbent Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown, first elected in 2008, is seeking a second term. She defeated perennial candidate Paul Damian Wells in the Democratic primary and faces Republican orthopedic surgeon Knute Buehler in the general election. Buehler was unopposed in the Republican primary and also won the Independent Party nomination.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Kate Brown, incumbent
- Paul Damian Wells, machinist
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kate Brown | 284,470 | 91.1 | |
| Democratic | Paul Damian Wells | 26,177 | 8.4 | |
| Democratic | write-ins | 1,510 | 0.5 | |
| Total votes | 312,157 | 100 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Knute Buehler, surgeon
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Knute Buehler | 199,179 | 97.76 | |
| Republican | write-ins | 4,558 | 2.24 | |
| Total votes | 203,737 | 100 | ||
Independent Party of Oregon
Oregon allows candidates to be cross-nominated by up to three political parties. The Independent Party of Oregon holds a month-long online primary to select which candidate receives their nomination. The party chose candidates in a number of legislative and local races but only one statewide race, secretary of state.
Candidates
- Kate Brown, incumbent
- Knute Buehler, surgeon
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Knute Buehler | 348 | 55.68 | |
| Democratic | Kate Brown | 277 | 44.32 | |
| Total votes | 625 | 100 | ||
General election
Candidates
- Kate Brown (Democrat, Working Families), incumbent
- Knute Buehler (Republican, Independent), orthopedic surgeon
- Bruce Alexander Knight (Libertarian), store manager
- Robert Wolfe (Progressive), wine salesman
- Seth Woolley (Pacific Green), software engineer
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Kate Brown (D) |
Knute Buehler (R, I) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Oregonian | October 25–28, 2012 | 405 | ± 5% | 38% | 23% | 36% |
| DHM Research | October 18–20, 2012 | 500 | ± 2.6%–4.4% | 43% | 37% | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 21–24, 2012 | 686 | ± 3.7% | 48% | 30% | 21% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kate Brown | 863,656 | 51.28 | |
| Republican | Knute Buehler | 727,607 | 43.20 | |
| Pacific Green | Seth Woolley | 44,235 | 2.63 | |
| Libertarian | Bruce Alexander Knight | 24,273 | 1.44 | |
| Progressive | Robert Wolfe | 21,783 | 1.29 | |
| write-ins | 2,561 | 0.15 | ||
| Total votes | 1,684,115 | 100 | ||
State Treasurer
Incumbent Oregon State Treasurer Ted Wheeler was appointed to the position in March 2010 following the death of Ben Westlund. Wheeler subsequently won a November 2010 special election to complete the remainder of Westlund's term. He is seeking re-election to a full term in 2012. Tom Cox, a management consultant who ran for governor as the Libertarian nominee in 2002, won the Republican nomination as a write-in candidate.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Ted Wheeler, incumbent
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ted Wheeler | 272,278 | 99.50 | |
| Democratic | write-ins | 1,365 | 0.50 | |
| Total votes | 273,643 | 100 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
No Republican filed to run in the primary, but a few weeks before the primary election, party officials sent postcards to Republicans urging them to write in Tom Cox, who won 5% of the vote as the Libertarian candidate for governor in 2002. Cox won the majority of the more than 24,000 write-in votes to advance to the November general election.
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tom Cox (write-in) | 12,885 | 53.2 | |
| Republican | other write-ins | 11,337 | 46.8 | |
| Total votes | 24,222 | 100 | ||
General election
Candidates
- Tom Cox (Republican), management consultant
- John F. Mahler (Libertarian), retired plant engineer
- Michael Paul Marsh (Constitution), retired landscaper, custodian, and paralegal
- Ted Wheeler (Democrat, Working Families), incumbent
- Cameron Whitten (Progressive), student
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Ted Wheeler (D) |
Tom Cox (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | June 21–24, 2012 | 686 | ± 3.7% | 46% | 34% | 19% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ted Wheeler | 955,213 | 57.84 | |
| Republican | Tom Cox | 609,989 | 36.93 | |
| Progressive | Cameron Whitten | 38,762 | 2.36 | |
| Libertarian | John Mahler | 30,002 | 1.83 | |
| Constitution | Michael Paul Marsh | 15,415 | 0.94 | |
| write-ins | 2,181 | 0.13 | ||
| Total votes | 1,643,350 | 100 | ||
Labor Commissioner
Main article: 2012 Oregon Commissioner of Labor electionThe Oregon Commissioner of Labor serves as the head of the state Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), and is a nonpartisan position. Brad Avakian, a Democrat who has served as Commissioner since 2008, is running for re-election. Republican state Senator Bruce Starr is challenging Avakian.
General election
Candidates
- Brad Avakian, incumbent
- Bruce Starr, state senator
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Brad Avakian (D) |
Bruce Starr (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Oregonian | October 25–28, 2012 | 405 | ± 5% | 26% | 20% | 53% |
| DHM Research | October 18–20, 2012 | 500 | ± 2.6%–4.4% | 22% | 19% | 60% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 21–24, 2012 | 686 | ± 3.7% | 21% | 23% | 56% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Brad Avakian | 681,987 | 52.53 | |
| Republican | Bruce Starr | 606,735 | 46.73 | |
| write-ins | 9,616 | 0.74 | ||
| Total votes | 1,298,338 | 100 | ||
Legislative
Main article: Oregon legislative elections, 2012The Democrats had a 16–14 majority in the Oregon State Senate in the previous session. 16 of the 30 senate seats were up for election. In the Oregon House of Representatives, which was evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, all 60 seats were up for election. Democrats retained their 16–14 majority in the Senate, and took a 34–26 majority in the House.
Ballot measures
Nine measures appeared on the November ballot. Two were legislative referrals, four were initiated constitutional amendments, and three were initiated state statutes.
Measure 77
Referred by the legislature. Amends Constitution: Governor may declare "catastrophic disaster;" requires legislative session; authorizes suspending specified constitutional spending restrictions.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
 Yes
|
957,646 | 58.71 |
| No | 673,468 | 41.29 |
| Total votes | 1,631,114 | 100.00 |
| Source: Oregon State Elections Division | ||
Measure 78
Referred by the legislature. Amends Constitution: Changes constitutional language describing governmental system of separation of powers; makes grammatical and spelling changes.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Yes
|
1,165,963 | 71.77 |
| No | 458,509 | 28.23 |
| Total votes | 1,624,472 | 100.00 |
| Source: Oregon State Elections Division | ||
Measure 79
Initiated constitutional amendment. Amends Constitution: Prohibits real estate transfer taxes, fees, other assessments, except those operative on December 31, 2009.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Yes
|
976,587 | 58.96 |
| No | 679,710 | 41.04 |
| Total votes | 1,656,297 | 100.00 |
| Source: Oregon State Elections Division | ||
Measure 80
Main article: Oregon Ballot Measure 80
Initiated statute. Allows personal marijuana, hemp cultivation/use without license; commission to regulate commercial marijuana cultivation/sale.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
 No
|
923,071 | 53.25 |
| Yes | 810,538 | 46.75 |
| Total votes | 1,733,609 | 100.00 |
| Source: Oregon State Elections Division | ||
Measure 81
Initiated statute. Prohibits commercial non-tribal fishing with gillnets in Oregon "inland waters," allows use of seine nets.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| No
|
1,072,614 | 65.38 |
| Yes | 567,996 | 34.62 |
| Total votes | 1,640,610 | 100.00 |
| Source: Oregon State Elections Division | ||
Measure 82
Initiated constitutional amendment. Amends Constitution: authorizes establishment of privately owned casinos; mandates percentage of revenues payable to dedicated state fund.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| No
|
1,226,331 | 71.65 |
| Yes | 485,240 | 28.35 |
| Total votes | 1,711,571 | 100.00 |
| Source: Oregon State Elections Division | ||
Measure 83
Initiated statute. Authorizes privately owned Wood Village Casino at the closed Multnomah Greyhound Park; mandates percentage of revenues payable to dedicated state fund.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| No
|
1,207,508 | 70.71 |
| Yes | 500,123 | 29.29 |
| Total votes | 1,707,631 | 100.00 |
| Source: Oregon State Elections Division | ||
Measure 84
Initiated statute. Phases out existing inheritance taxes on large estates, and all taxes on intra-family property transfers.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| No
|
912,541 | 54.04 |
| Yes | 776,143 | 45.96 |
| Total votes | 1,688,684 | 100.00 |
| Source: Oregon State Elections Division | ||
Measure 85
Initiated constitutional amendment. Amends Constitution: allocates corporate income/excise tax "kicker" refund to additionally fund K–12 public education.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Yes
|
1,007,122 | 59.96 |
| No | 672,586 | 40.04 |
| Total votes | 1,679,708 | 100.00 |
| Source: Oregon State Elections Division | ||
See also
References
- "Hales wins mayor race; Obama wins presidency". OregonLive. The Oregonian. November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
- Har, Jamie (October 18, 2011). "John Kroger cites 'significant but not life threatening medical condition' for opting out of 2012 AG race". The Oregonian. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
- Graves, Bill (April 24, 2012). "Reed College chooses Oregon Attorney General John Kroger as new president". The Oregonian. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- Cole, Michelle (June 6, 2012). "Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber names Ellen Rosenblum as interim attorney general". The Oregonian. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
- Har, Janie (June 29, 2012). "AG handoff, timber payments, OLCC and tsunami debris is coming: Oregon Politics Roundup". The Oregonian. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
- ^ Mapes, Jeff (June 6, 2012). "Oregon Republicans now have candidates for attorney general and treasurer, courtesy of write-in votes". The Oregonian. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
- ^ "Candidate Filings, Attorney General". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
- ^ "Official Results: May 15, 2012 Primary Election". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
- ^ "Candidate Filings, Attorney General". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
- ^ Public Policy Polling
- ^ "November 6, 2012, General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Elections Division. Retrieved December 5, 2012.
- ^ Mapes, Jeff (May 15, 2012). "Kate Brown, Knute Buehler to face off in November for Oregon secretary of state (2012 primary election)". The Oregonian. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
- ^ Mapes, Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian (July 18, 2012). "Knute Buehler wins Independent Party nod, as do several Oregon House Democratic candidates". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Candidate Filings, Secretary of State". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
- "May 15, 2012 Primary Election: Secretary of State Official Election Results". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
- "Primary election results". Independent Party of Oregon. Archived from the original on October 2, 2012. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
- ^ "Candidate Filings, Secretary of State". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
- ^ The Oregonian
- ^ DHM Research
- "Candidate Filings, State Treasurer". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
- ^ "May 15, 2012 Primary Election: State Treasurer Official Election Results". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
- ^ "Candidate Filings, State Treasurer". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
- ^ Mapes, Jeff (February 2, 2012). "After bruising congressional loss, Brad Avakian kicks off re-election race for labor commissioner". The Oregonian. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
- ^ "Candidate Filings, State Treasurer". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
- "2012 Election Results: Oregon Legislature". OregonLive.com. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
- Elections Division (August 2, 2010). "2012 Measure Assignment". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
External links
- Elections Division at the Oregon Secretary of State
- Oregon at Ballotpedia
- Oregon judicial elections, 2012 at Judgepedia
- Oregon 2012 campaign finance data from OpenSecrets
- Oregon Congressional Races in 2012 campaign finance data from OpenSecrets
- Outside spending at the Sunlight Foundation
| Elections in Oregon | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||||||
| Governor | |||||||
| Secretary of State | |||||||
| State Treasurer | |||||||
| Attorney General | |||||||
| Labor Commissioner | |||||||
| State legislature | |||||||
| Ballot measures | |||||||
| U.S. President | |||||||
| U.S. Senate |
| ||||||
| U.S. House |
| ||||||
| Multnomah County | |||||||
| Portland Municipal |
| ||||||
| (2011 ←) 2012 United States elections (→ 2013) | |
|---|---|
| U.S. President |
|
| U.S. Senate |
|
| U.S. House (Election ratings) |
|
| Governors | |
| Attorneys general | |
| Other statewide elections |
|
| State legislatures |
|
| Mayoral |
|
| States and territories |
|