The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the five U.S. representatives from the state of Oregon, apportioned according to the 2010 United States census. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election. All five incumbents, four Democrats and one Republican, were re-elected to another term.
Primary elections for Democrats and Republicans were held on May 15, 2012; other parties had other nominating procedures. Several candidates received nominations for multiple parties, as permitted by Oregon law.
Overview United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon, 2012PartyVotesPercentageSeats+/– Democratic 949,660 55.60% 4 - Republican 687,83940.27% 1 - Libertarian 34,879 2.04% - Pacific Green 20,675 1.21% - Constitution 12,518 0.73% - write-ins 2,597 0.15% - Totals 1,708,168 100.00% 5 -
Redistricting On June 29, 2011, members of the Oregon Legislative Assembly reached an agreement on redistricting all five of Oregon's congressional districts, as required by population changes from the 2010 census. Among other changes, Downtown Portland was moved from District 1 to District 3; District 2 ceded more of the Grants Pass area to District 4; and District 5 was changed to include more of Clackamas County and only small parts of Multnomah County.
District 1
Oregon's 1st congressional district is represented by Democrat Suzanne Bonamici, the winner of a January 2012 special election held after Representative David Wu resigned following allegations of an unwanted sexual encounter following the resolution of the 2011 U.S. debt ceiling crisis. The district has a PVI of D+6.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Suzanne Bonamici, incumbent U.S. Representative
Declined Brad Avakian, state Commissioner of Labor and Industries and candidate for this seat in 2012 (special) Ryan Deckert, former state senator Elizabeth Furse, former U.S. Representative Greg Macpherson, former state representative Dan Saltzman, Portland city commissioner Brad Witt, state representative and candidate for this seat in 2012 (special)
Primary results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Delinda Morgan, vineyard owner
Eliminated in primary Lisa Michaels, activist, cable host and candidate for this seat in 2012 (special)
Declined Rob Cornilles, sports marketing consultant and nominee for this seat in 2010 & 2012 (special) Rob Miller, businessman Bruce Starr state senator
Results
General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call, November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal BallCrystal Ball , November 5, 2012 NY TimesHouse Race Ratings, The New York Times, November 4, 2012RCP, November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
District 2
Republican Greg Walden has represented Oregon's 2nd congressional district since 1998 and is seeking re-election. The district has a PVI of R+10.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Greg Walden, incumbent U.S. Representative
Primary results
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Joyce Segers, businesswoman, writer and nominee for this seat in 2010
Eliminated in primary John Sweeney, activist
Results
General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
District 3
Democrat Earl Blumenauer has represented Oregon's 3rd congressional district since 1996 and is seeking re-election. The district is the most Democratic-leaning district in the state, with a PVI of D+21.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Earl Blumenauer, incumbent U.S. Representative
Primary results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Ronald Green, bus operator
Eliminated in primary Delia Lopez, real estate investor
Results
General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
District 4
Oregon's 4th congressional district has been represented by Democrat Peter DeFazio since 1987 and he is seeking re-election. The district has a PVI of D+2.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Peter DeFazio, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary Matthew Robinson, nuclear engineering graduate student and son of Arthur B. Robinson
Results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Arthur B. Robinson, chemist and nominee for this seat in 2010
Results
General election Endorsements
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
District 5
Democratic incumbent Kurt Schrader has represented Oregon's 5th congressional district since 2008 and is running for re-election in what is often considered to be the most competitive district in the state. In fact, the district has an even PVI.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Kurt Schrader, incumbent U.S. Representative
Primary results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Fred Thompson, retired timber executive and candidate for this seat in 2010
Eliminated in primary Karen Bowerman, business consultant and retired college administrator
Declined Scott Bruun, former state representative and nominee for this seat in 2010 Chris Dudley, former professional basketball player and nominee for governor in 2010
Results
General election Endorsements
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
See also Oregon's 1st congressional district special election, 2012 United States House of Representatives elections, 2012 United States presidential election in Oregon, 2012 Oregon state elections, 2012
References
External links Elections Division at the Oregon Secretary of State United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon, 2012 at Ballotpedia Oregon U.S. House from OurCampaigns.com Campaign contributions for U.S. Congressional races in Oregon from OpenSecrets Outside spending at the Sunlight Foundation