2016 Oregon legislative election explained

The 2016 elections for the Oregon Legislative Assembly determined the composition of both houses for the 79th Oregon Legislative Assembly. The Republican and Democratic parties held primary elections on May 17, 2016 with general elections on November 8.

The Democratic Party maintained its 35-25 advantage in the Oregon House of Representatives while losing one seat in the Oregon State Senate to bring their advantage to 17-13 over the Republicans.

Oregon Senate

In the previous session, the Democrats held an 18-12 majority over the Republicans. The 16 seats up for election included 8 seats previously held by Republicans, and 8 by Democrats.

Open seats

• In District 3, incumbent Democrat Kevin Talbert, who was appointed in August to replace the deceased Alan Bates^[1] decided not to seek election.^[2]
• In District 21, incumbent Democrat and President Pro Tempore Diane Rosenbaum retired.^[3]
• In District 22, incumbent Democrat Chip Shields retired.^[4]
• In District 28, incumbent Republican Doug Whitsett retired.^[5]

Results

Affiliation		Candidates	Votes	Vote %	Seats Won	Seats After
	Democratic	14	472,564	50.95%	7 (1)	17
	Republican	11	410,566	44.27%	9 (1)	13
	Libertarian	2	11,173	1.20%	0
	Progressive	1	10,390	1.12%	0
	Independent	1	9,114	0.98%	0
	Others	N/A	13,659	1.47%	0
Total		45	927,466	100%	16	30

Oregon House of Representatives

All 60 seats of the Oregon House of Representatives were up for re-election, being represented by 35 Democrats and 25 Republicans. The Democrats expanded their 34-26 advantage to 35-25 in the 2014 election.

Open seats

• In District 1, incumbent Republican Wayne Krieger retired.^[6]
• In District 5, incumbent Democrat Peter Buckley retired.^[7]
• In District 14, incumbent Democrat Val Hoyle contested the Democratic primary for Secretary of State.^[8]
• In District 22, incumbent Democrat Betty Komp retired.^[9]
• In District 24, incumbent Republican Jim Weidner retired.^[10]
• In District 26, incumbent Republican John Davis retired.^[11]
• In District 27, incumbent Democrat Tobias Read retired to run for Oregon State Treasurer.^[12]
• In District 30, incumbent Democrat Joe Gallegos retired.^[11]
• In District 40, incumbent Democrat Brent Barton retired.^[13]
• In District 41, incumbent Democrat Kathleen Taylor retired to contest the District 21 Senate seat held by Diane Rosenbaum.^[14]
• In District 43, incumbent Democrat Lew Frederick retired to contest the District 22 Senate seat held by Chip Shields.^[15]
• In District 47, incumbent Democrat Jessica Vega Pederson retired to run for Multnomah County Commissioner.^[16]
• In District 51, incumbent Democrat Shemia Fagan retired.^[17]
• In District 56, incumbent Republican Gail Whitsett retired.^[18]

Results

Affiliation		Candidates	Votes	Vote %	Seats Won
	Democratic	52	882,897	50.23%	35
	Republican	48	756,619	43.05%	25
	Independent	9	58,563	3.33%	0
	Libertarian	4	15,219	0.87%	0
	Progressive	2	9,985	0.57%	0
	Others	N/A	26,714	1.52%	0
Total		178	1,757,603	100%	60

See also

• 78th Oregon Legislative Assembly (2015-2016)
• 79th Oregon Legislative Assembly (2017-2018)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Kevin Talbert appointed to Oregon Senate following Alan Bates' death. KATU 2. 31 August 2016 . Sinclair Broadcast Group. 27 November 2016.
2. News: Kevin Talbert selected to fill Alan Bates' Senate seat. Aldous, Vickie. Ashland Daily Tidings. August 30, 2016. November 27, 2016. March 30, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170330233551/http://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160830/NEWS/160839987. dead.
3. Web site: Achen. Paris. Rosenbaum won't seek reelection. Portland Tribune. March 2016 . Pamplin Media Group. 27 November 2016.
4. Web site: Gray. Chris. Shields Departing Senate with One More Insurance Reform Bill in His Quiver. The Lund Report. 27 November 2016.
5. Web site: Anderson. Taylor. Late Republican shuffling may spurn election hopes. The Bulletin. 11 March 2016 . 27 November 2016.
6. Web site: Stebbins. Jane. Race for state house. Curry Coastal Pilot. Western Communications, Inc.. 27 November 2016.
7. Web site: Cureton. Emily. Riley. Geoffrey. Oregon Rep. Peter Buckley Retires. Jefferson Public Radio. 27 November 2016.
8. Web site: Hubbard. Saul. Eugene state Sen. Chris Edwards stepping down for administrative job at UO. The Register-Guard. 27 November 2016.
9. Web site: 46 Rep. Betty Komp announces retirement from legislature. Statesman Journal. USA Today Network. 27 November 2016.
10. Web site: Montesano. Nicole. Moore, Noble vie for House District 24 seat. Yamhill Valley News-Register. 21 October 2016 . News-Register Publishing. 27 November 2016.
11. Web site: Anderson. Taylor. Where Oregon races stand a week before Election Day. The Bulletin. 2 November 2016 . 27 November 2016.
12. Web site: Apalategui. Eric. Carlson to face Barker in House District 28. Portland Tribune. Pamplin Media Group. 27 November 2016.
13. Web site: Rendleman. Raymond. North Clackamas voters pick Mark Meek, Karin Power for Oregon House seats. Portland Tribune. Pamplin Media Group. 27 November 2016.
14. Web site: Rendleman. Raymond. Milwaukie Councilor Karin Power running for State Rep. Kathleen Taylor's seat. Portland Tribune. Pamplin Media Group. 27 November 2016.
15. Web site: Hammill. Luke. Oregon legislative roundup: Key races in House, Senate (election results). OregonLive. 18 May 2016 . Oregon Live LLC. 27 November 2016.
16. Web site: Zimmerman, Vega Pederson, Stegmann for Multnomah County Commission: Editorial endorsement. OregonLive. 12 April 2016 . Oregon Live LLC. 27 November 2016.
17. Web site: Lehman. Chris. The Road To Legislative Control In Oregon Leads Through The Suburbs. Northwest Public Radio. 27 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161127154022/http://nwpr.org/post/road-legislative-control-oregon-leads-through-suburbs. 27 November 2016. dead.
18. Web site: Moriarty. Liam. Klamath Region Spawns Oregon's Oddest Legislative Races This Year. Jefferson Public Radio. 4 November 2016 . 27 November 2016.