The 2012 elections for the Oregon Legislative Assembly determined the composition of both houses for the 77th Oregon Legislative Assembly. The Republican and Democratic primary elections were on May 15, 2012, and the general election was on November 6, 2012. Sixteen of the Oregon State Senate's 30 seats were up for election, as were all 60 seats of the Oregon House of Representatives.
In the Senate, the Democrats kept a 16–14 majority, identical to their advantage in the previous legislative session. In the House, Democrats took a 34–26 majority, up from a 30–30 split in the previous session.
Oregon Senate
In the previous session, Democrats controlled the Senate with a 16–14 majority. Of the 16 seats up for election, eight were previously held by Democrats, and eight by Republicans.
Predictions SourceRankingAs of Governing | October 24, 2012
Open seats District 2: Republican Jason Atkinson retired. District 5: Democrat Joanne Verger retired. District 27: Republican Chris Telfer was defeated in the District 27 primary by Tim Knopp, the vice president of the Central Oregon Builders Association and a former state Representative. District 29: Republican David Nelson retired.
Results Oregon State Senate elections, 2012General election — November 6, 2012 Party Votes Percentage Seats won Seats contested Democratic434,590 50.81%8 14 Republican 289,189 46.66%8 14 American Independent 10,459 1.22% 0 1 Libertarian 7,203 0.84% 0 3 Others 4,005 0.47% 0 Valid votes 855,334 86.18% — — Invalid votes 137,109 13.82% — — Total ballots returned 992,443 100.00% 16 34 Voter turnout 83.14% (Registered Voters)
House of Representatives
In the House, all 60 seats up for re-election. In the previous session, the house was evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, 30–30.
Predictions SourceRankingAs of Governing | October 24, 2012
Open seats District 9: Democrat Arnie Roblan won an open state senate seat in District 5. District 10: Democrat Jean Cowan retired. District 12: Democrat Terry Beyer retired. District 26: Republican Matt Wingard won the Republican primary, but dropped his re-election bid following a scandal. District 36: Democrat Mary Nolan ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Portland City Council. District 40: Democratic Dave Hunt ran unsuccessfully for chairman of the Clackamas County Board of County Commissioners. District 47: Democratic Jefferson Smith ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Portland. District 48: Democrat Mike Schaufler lost in the Democratic primary to Jeff Reardon. District 56: Republican Bill Garrard retired.
Results
See also 76th Oregon Legislative Assembly (2011–2012) 77th Oregon Legislative Assembly (2013–2014)
Sources Oregon Secretary of State - November 6, 2012, General Election Abstract of Votes
References