The 1934 Oregon gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1934, to elect the governor of the U.S. state of Oregon. Democrat Charles H. Martin, who retired from the United States House of Representatives to run for governor, won a plurality over Republican Oregon State Senator Peter Zimmerman (who ran as an Independent), Republican nominee Joe E. Dunne, also a state senator, and several minor candidates. Willis Mahoney unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination, while Rufus C. Holman unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination. Oregon would not elect another Democratic governor until 1956. As of 2026, this is also the last gubernatorial election in which Malheur County supported the Democratic candidate.

Primary election Oregon held primary elections on May 18, 1934.

Democratic party Representative Charles H. Martin defeated Willis Mahoney for the Democratic nomination.

Candidates Willis Mahoney, mayor of Klamath Falls Charles H. Martin, representative from Oregon's 3rd district

Results

Republican party State senator Joe E. Dunne emerged victorious from a crowded primary field.

Candidates Sam H. Brown, member of Oregon State Senate Joe E. Dunne, member of Oregon State Senate Rufus C. Holman, Treasurer of Oregon Frank J. Lonergan, member of Oregon House of Representatives Ulysses G. McAlexander, military officer

Results

General election Candidates Joe E. Dunne, Republican Charles H. Martin, Democratic Peter Zimmerman, Independent Harry J. Correll, Independent Abraham M. Silverman, Independent Hank E. Wirth, Independent

Results

Results by county In addition to this being the most recent election in which Malheur County backed the Democratic candidate, Jefferson County, Josephine County, and Sherman County have only voted Democratic once since this election. As of 2026, this is the last gubernatorial election in which a Democrat was elected without carrying Lincoln County. County Charles H. MartinDemocratic Peter ZimmermanIndependent Joe E. DunneRepublican All OthersIndependent Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % # %Baker2,39446.60%1,11121.63%1,57630.68%561.09%81815.92%5,137Benton2,13837.02%99617.24%2,61745.31%250.43%-479-8.29%5,776Clackamas4,99432.01%6,80743.63%3,64423.35%1581.01%-1,813-11.62%15,603Clatsop2,95748.22%1,23020.06%1,80729.47%1382.25%1,15018.75%6,132Columbia1,92434.94%1,95035.41%1,58228.73%510.93%-26-0.47%5,507Coos3,18042.48%1,63221.80%2,48933.25%1842.46%6919.23%7,485Crook46139.03%22018.63%48741.24%131.10%-26-2.20%1,181Curry50340.60%32025.83%36829.70%483.87%13510.90%1,239Deschutes1,74740.85%95122.24%1,49935.05%801.87%2485.80%4,277Douglas2,81837.05%1,53920.24%3,14241.31%1061.39%-324-4.26%7,605Gilliam48644.42%23221.21%37033.82%60.55%11610.60%1,094Grant55733.35%47228.26%61336.71%281.68%-56-3.35%1,670Harney56742.44%39329.42%35726.72%191.42%17413.02%1,336Hood River1,14544.45%51119.84%90535.13%150.58%2409.32%2,576Jackson5,08649.78%2,01319.70%3,01629.52%1021.00%2,07020.26%10,217Jefferson33245.73%12216.80%26536.50%70.96%679.23%726Josephine2,07951.03%75418.51%1,19329.28%481.18%88621.75%4,074Klamath2,14023.34%2,60228.38%4,10144.73%3253.54%-1,499-16.35%9,168Lake81744.14%28315.29%71638.68%351.89%1015.46%1,851Lane6,63437.45%5,79732.73%5,13528.99%1460.82%8374.73%17,712Lincoln1,14932.97%1,19134.18%1,09331.36%521.49%-42-1.21%3,485Linn3,20734.89%3,00432.68%2,90131.56%790.86%2032.21%9,191Malheur1,10842.68%57322.07%87633.74%391.50%2328.94%2,596Marion6,53733.40%8,22742.03%4,63323.67%1760.90%-1,690-8.63%19,573Morrow49238.89%34026.88%41632.89%171.34%766.01%1,265Multnomah44,05940.19%36,86233.62%27,67525.24%1,0400.95%7,1976.56%109,636Polk2,05738.17%1,95236.22%1,34024.87%400.74%1051.95%5,389Sherman37837.43%29128.81%33733.37%40.40%414.06%1,010Tillamook1,21832.13%1,52740.28%1,01526.77%310.82%-309-8.15%3,791Umatilla3,14746.13%1,33619.58%2,28333.47%560.82%86412.66%6,822Union1,88239.50%1,43230.05%1,39129.19%601.26%4509.44%4,765Wallowa60528.74%74035.15%73634.96%241.14%-4-0.19%2,105Wasco1,76345.82%67717.59%1,38235.91%260.68%3819.90%3,848Washington3,20133.90%3,86140.89%2,29124.26%900.95%-660-6.99%9,443Wheeler41334.97%15112.79%59650.47%211.78%-183-15.50%1,181Yamhill2,50231.06%3,42042.46%2,07625.77%570.71%-918-11.40%8,055Total116,67738.57%95,51931.57%86,92328.73%3,4021.12%21,1586.99%302,521

Counties that flipped from Independent to Democratic Baker Clatsop Coos Curry Deschutes Gilliam Hood River Jackson Jefferson Josephine Lake Malheur Morrow Multnomah Sherman Umatilla Union Wasco

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Harney

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Independent Lincoln

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Benton

Counties that flipped from Independent to Republican Crook Douglas Grant Klamath

Notes

References