Election 2006
Election 2006 Results
Election results from key Oregon and Washington racesOregon
Governor
Kulongoski Sees Victory As Endorsement For Agenda
Governor Ted Kulongoski held a press conference this morning to say that he sees his re-election as an endorsement of his agenda of education funding, health care, and global warming.
Kulongoski noted he won in the face of a multi-million dollar campaign by Republicans.
Kulongoski Sweeps To Solid Victory
Governor Ted Kulongoski swept to victory Tuesday night, fending off a well-financed challenge by Republican attorney Ron Saxton.
Saxton, Kulongoski Campaigns Begin Final Push For Votes
As election day looms, Oregon's top two candidates for governor are making a final push to rally their supporters.
Candidates Enlist Environmental Record In Campaign Battle
One of the biggest differences between Oregon's two leading candidates for governor is the environment.
Incumbent Governor Ted Kulongoski has won the endorsement of conservation groups while challenger Ron Saxton is championed by the timber industry.
Ley Garnett takes an in depth look at the issue and where the candidates stand.
Governor's Race Getting Heated In Final Week
With about a week to go before Oregon voters decide a close race for governor, Democratic and Republican partisans have taken the gloves off.
Smith And Wyden Lend Help To Gubernatorial Campaigns
Oregon's two Senators have won praise in Washington, DC for their bipartisan cooperation. But each is campaigning hard for his party's nominee in the race for governor.
Do Newspaper Endorsements Matter?
An ad running in the contested race for Oregon governor includes nothing but quotes from the Oregonian newspaper's editorial endorsement. The paper chose to support
Republican challenger Ron Saxton over Democratic incumbent Ted Kulongoski. But do voters pay attention to newspaper endorsements? Colin Fogarty explores the question.
Al Gore Stumps For Kulongoski
Former Vice President Al Gore stumped for Democratic Governor Ted Kulongoski in Portland Wednesday. The incumbent faces a tough challenge from Republican attorney
Ron Saxton. After their final debate Tuesday night in Medford, the two candidates are focused on energizing their base, as Colin Fogarty reports.
Schools Superintendent Calls For Saxton To
Stop Running Ad
A new ad by Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron Saxton is under fire. State schools superintendent Susan Castillo and an education group Tuesday called the
TV spot misleading and say they want it off the air.
The ad says increased education spending in the last four years has yielded few results.
Saxton and Kulongoski Square Off on Children's Issues
Gubernatorial hopefuls Democratic Governor Ted Kulongoski and Republican challenger Ron Saxton held their first debate of the 2006 general election Thursday.
It was held at OPB's Portland studios on the theme of children and families.
Watch Online:
Streaming video of the gubernatorial debate.
Listen Online:
Download audio of the debate
Stream audio of the debate
Debate Response From Minor Party Candidates:
Richard Morley - Libertarian
Joe Keating - Green Party
Saxton, Kulongoski Face Off Again
Democrat incumbent Ted Kulongoski and Republican challenger Ron Saxton took questions in front of a studio audience Tuesday night at Portland television station KGW.
It was the first debate since several major newspapers issued endorsements in the race.
Howard Dean Rallies Support For Kulongoski
Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean stopped in Portland Wednesday to rally support for Governor Ted Kulongoski. The Democratic incumbent is locked in a tight
race with Republican challenger Ron Saxton.
Candidates Field Questions From College Students
Some Oregon college students got the chance to ask questions of the major-party candidates for governor Wednesday. Democratic incumbent Ted Kulongoski and Republican
challenger Ron Saxton took questions at a forum at Chemeketa Community College in Salem.
Kulongoski Wants Measure 48 Debate With Backer
Governor Ted Kulongoski issued a new debate challenge Monday, not to any of his gubernatorial opponents, but to an initiative financier. Kulongoski invited Manhattan
millionaire Howard Rich to visit Oregon and debate ballot Measure 48.
Education Issue Ranks High With Candidates For Governor
Since school began in Oregon, education has emerged as a leading issue in the governor's race. Incumbent, Ted Kulongoski, appeared at a pre-school program in Portland
Tuesday, and plans to be in Redmond Wednesday at a middle school. His Republican rival, Ron Saxton, spent all of last week touring schools from Medford to McMinnville.
Rob Manning caught up with both candidates and has this report on their different approaches to education.
Minor-Party Candidates Decry Debate Exclusion
Three minor-party gubernatorial candidates spoke out together Tuesday, about being excluded from many campaign debates.
Candidates Propose Fixes For Oregon's Foster Care
In a gubernatorial debate Thursday, candidates Ted Kulongoski and Ron Saxton squared off on issues generally relating to Oregon's children. One question asked how
they would begin to repair Oregon's turnover-plagued foster care system.
Candidates Propose Fixes For Oregon's Foster Care
In a gubernatorial debate Thursday, candidates Ted Kulongoski and Ron Saxton squared off on issues generally relating to Oregon's children. One question asked how
they would begin to repair Oregon's turnover-plagued foster care system.
U.S. House
Erickson Draws On Anti-Incumbent Vibe In
Race Against Hooley
Across the nation, Democrats are increasingly hopeful one negative headline after another for Republicans will help them win control of Congress.
But in Oregon, a Republican candidate for the US House is hoping he can use that same anti-incumbent feeling against a Democrat.
Measures
Little Payoff For Massive Campaigns Funded By NY Millionaire
November 7th was not a good day for Manhattan political activist Howard Rich. Just two of the measures sponsored by Rich won approval throughout the country, but in Oregon, Rich struck out.
Oregon Voters Split On Campaign Finance Measures
Measure 46 - which would have enshrined allowances for campaign finance reform in the constitution - failed handily. But Measure 47, which creates specific campaign limits, passed.
Prescription Drug Measure Passes Easily
More than one million of Oregon's poorest people are eligible for substantial savings on their medicines Wednesday, following the passage of Measure 44.
Measures 41 And 48 Rejected
Oregon voters have rejected two ballot measures that would have forced major spending cuts in the state budget.
OPB's Measure Minutes
Learn about each measure in less than a minute.
Measure 39 | Measure 40 | Measure 41 | Measure 42 | Measure 43 | Measure 44 | Measure 45 | Measures 46 & 47 | Measure 48
Measure Opponents Focus On Bill Sizemore
Now that Oregon voters have their ballots in hand, the people behind all of the campaigns are hoping their advertising messages pay off. Voters have been subjected to a steady stream of ads about many high-profile ballot measures this year.
Some of those advertising blitzes have focused on the people behind the ballot measures, instead of the measures themselves.
Measure 41, Explained
Ballot Measure 41 would allow Oregonians to claim the same deduction for personal exemptions on their state and federal tax returns. State revenues would be reduced immediately.
Measure 43 Opponents Question Ad Accuracy
Opponents of Measure 43 say the supporters are running misleading and erroneous ads.
Big Spenders Throwing Major Money At
Initiative Campaigns
Oregon voters will decide 10 ballot measures next month that have attracted nearly $9 million in campaign spending. The Money in Politics Research Action
Project calculates that the big spenders outgun their opponents an average of 4 to one.
Business Groups Unite Against Measures 41 & 48
Oregon's largest business organizations came out Wednesday against two initiatives on the November ballot to cut taxes and cap state spending.
Measure 43 Opposition Takes To The Airwaves
Opponents of Measure 43 unveiled their first TV commercials Friday. The measure would require doctors to notify a minor's parents before performing an abortion
except in the case of a medical emergency or with the state's permission.
Measure 42: Using Credit Scores To Determine
Insurance Premiums
One Oregon ballot measure that has consumers scratching their heads this fall is Measure 42. In a nutshell, it would bar insurance companies from using a
customer's credit history to set rates or premiums.
It's a process that the industry has only been using for the last decade. But while a customer's
driving risk and credit score might not seem to be linked, the insurance industry believes they are, and has poured almost $4 million into a campaign
to defeat Measure 42.
Property Rights Issue On Your Ballot? Consider Measure 37
This November, voters in Washington and Idaho will cast ballots on property rights measures. Before you vote you might want to consider what's happened in Oregon.
Two years ago voters there passed Measure 37. But as correspondent Austin Jenkins reports, it hasn't been a clear victory for people who want to be compensated
when the government regulates their land.
Business Groups Unite Against Measures 41 & 48
Backers of two measures for the November ballot have billed their initiatives as boosts for Oregon's economy. But the state's largest business organizations came out
Wednesday and begged to differ. The business leaders threw their weight behind a campaign to defeat Ballot Measures 41 and 48.
Limiting Eminent Domain Through Measure 39
Under current Oregon law, the city can force you to give up property and move away, on two conditions. Number one, it has to pay you fair market value.
And number two, it has to be for a legitimate reason that benefits the public. Oregon Ballot Measure 39 would change that standard for the state. If passed,
Measure 39 would prevent the government from using its eminent domain power to acquire private property for a public purpose, if the government intends to
convey the property to another private owner.
Kitzhaber Worries Measures 41 & 48 Will Doom Oregon Health Plan
Former Governor John Kitzhaber says if ballot measures 41 and 48 become law, the Oregon Health Plan will have to be cut even further.
School Levy Supporters Wary Of 'Tax-Exhaustion'
In Voters
With ten statewide initiatives on the ballot, and a tight race for Oregon governor, it might be easy to overlook the handful of local measures on your ballot.
Libraries, parks, and school supporters are all hoping to get measures approved this November. Amid the clamor, Portland school advocates are hoping they can make
a pro-tax case to a skeptical electorate.
Kulongoski And Saxton Both Oppose Measure 48
Neither major party candidate for Oregon governor is in favor of Ballot Measure 48. That's the proposed state spending limit that qualified this week for the November ballot. Democratic incumbent Ted Kulongoski warned voters in May against the effort to link state spending to the inflation rate and population increases. His Republican rival, Ron Saxton, said Friday he won't support the measure.
Campaign Cash And Where It's Coming From
Oregon Considered host Allison Frost talks with reporter Ley Garnett about campaign financing and look at the five best-funded measures on the 2006 ballot.
Measure 44: Expansion Of State Prescription Drug Program
Measure 44 would open Oregon's prescription drug program to all Oregonians who aren't getting medication under an insurance plan. But Measure 44 stands out from the crowd of
initiatives because it has no organized opposition.
Measure 43: The Right To Choose Vs. The Right To Know
Measure 43 is perhaps one of the most controversial initiatives on the ballot this November. It would require doctors to notify a minor's parents before performing an abortion,
except in the case of a medical emergency, or with the state's permission. The measure affects girls ages 15 to 18. According to statistics from Oregon's Department of Human
Services, there were 618 girls ages 15, 16 and 17 who had abortions in 2004 -- the latest year that figures are available.
Police, Firefighters Voice Opposition To Measures 41 And 48
Law officers and firefighters spoke Tuesday in Salem against Ballot Measures 41 and 48. They argued both measures would force severe cuts in their state budgets.
Voters Facing Campaign Finance Reform Measures, Again
Once again, Oregonians will have a chance to vote on campaign financing this November. Ballot Measure 46 changes the Oregon constitution to allow laws regulating campaign contributions. Measure 47 limits contributions to candidates and bans corporations and unions from giving money to candidates or spending it on their behalf. If Measure 46 fails, 47 is moot.
Higher Ed Leaders Voice Concern About Fall Ballot Measures
The heads of Oregon's biggest public colleges used the first day of classes Monday to caution voters about two ballot initiatives. Measure 41 would allow Oregonians to claim
the same deduction for personal exemptions on their state and federal tax returns. State revenues would be reduced immediately. And Measure 48 limits increases in the state
budget. The cap would be determined by adding the rate of population growth to the rate of inflation.
Measure 45: New Blood vs. Experience
Backers of Measure 45 reported this week they have more than $1 million to spend in the next five weeks before Election Day. The initiative would limit legislators to six years
in the House and eight years in the Senate with a lifetime cap of 14 years. Oregon had term limits beginning in 1992. But the Oregon Supreme Court tossed it out after a decade.
Millions Still Waiting To Be Spent In Measure Battles
The first campaign finance reports due in Monday show that millions of dollars are ready to be unleashed for and against Oregon's ten ballot measures. It's hard to
trace the money directly.
State Senate
Parties Turn Eyes Towards Oregon Legislature
The Oregon Governor's race is coming down to the wire. But Democrats and Republicans are also keeping their eyes on the state legislature.
State House
Democrats Make Gains In Oregon House
Democrats won't achieve the kind of margin in the Oregon House that they won in the United States Congress on Election Day, but the party may yet end up in control of the chamber.
Oregon House Race Not Immune To Nasty Tactics
Republican House Speaker Karen Minnis is trying to fend off an increasingly heated challenge from Democrat Rob Brading.
Watch "Oregon Statehouse: Power Shift?"
We visit three key House districts to find out how Oregon has changed and whether Democrats will retake power.
Editor's Note: In the program Oregon Statehouse: Power Shift?, Jean Cowan, Democratic candidate in House District 10, was incorrectly identified as a "former teacher." OPB regrets the error. Ms. Cowan is a former Lincoln County Commissioner, two-term mayor of Elgin and Emergency Medical Technician.
Washington
Democrats Make Key Gains In WA Legislature
Washington State Democrats have expanded their one-party lock on the legislature.
Candidates For WA State Legislature Duke it Out
The political hub-bub these days is Republicans could lose control of Congress.
U.S. Senate
Cantwell Easily Wins 6 More Years In Senate
It's six more years for Washington Senator Maria Cantwell. She easily cruised to victory over Republican challenger Mike McGavick.
Measures
Washington Estate Tax Repeal Rejected
Washington voters decisively rejected a ballot measure that sought to repeal the state's estate tax.
Washington's Initiative 920 Could Separate Death And Taxes
Washington voters will decide next month when they vote on Initiative 920. The measure would repeal the state's estate tax, which funds public education to the tune of $100 million a year.
Other Election News
Local Levies Fare Well In Election
While Oregon voters were in the mood to say "no" to most statewide measures Tuesday, local levies, particularly in the Portland Metropolitan area, were a different matter.
Nationwide 'Blue Wave' Leaves Idaho Relatively Unscathed
A "blue wave" may have swept the Nation in this year's election. But it seems to have missed the Republican stronghold of Idaho.
WA/ID Voters Won't Follow Oregon's Property Rights Lead
Washington and Idaho voters appear uninterested in following Oregon's lead on property rights.
In Stormy Weather, The Ballots Must Go Through
The heavy rains that have pummeled the northwest coast have added an extra challenge for last-minute voters. With some major highways closed, voters who want to drop off their ballots today may be faced with detours.
Measure 26-80: Preserving Open Spaces, Or Harming Farm Economy?
One of the biggest dollar items before voters anywhere in Oregon this November is Measure 26-80 in the Portland area. It would allow the Metro regional government to buy thousands of acres between the foot of Mount Hood and the western side of Washington County.
Portland Students Practice Tap-Dancing -- Around The Issues
Teachers in one Southwest Portland school are finishing up their own mock campaigns this week. The K-8 history magnet Hayhurst School has come up with innovative ways to teach kids about campaign finance, negative campaigning, and the fine art of tap-dancing around those pesky questions from reporters.
Elections Hold Key To Future Of Foreign Policy
Intelligence officials recently leaked portions of a classified document. It suggested that the war in Iraq is jeopardizing some anti-terrorism efforts. To counter that, the Bush administration released other parts of the repot, detailing how the U.S. is seriously damaging Al Qaeda. Capitol Hill correspondent Chad Pergram asked Oregon lawmakers about the effect of U.S. military efforts overseas, and whether or not they're helping keep America safe.
Idaho Predicts Big Voter Turnout
Idaho is poised for the highest voter turnout for a midterm election in more than a decade. The secretary of state predicts at least 63%. But no one knows how so many newcomers might influence tight races.
Get-Out-The-Vote Campaigns Switch To High Gear
Now that mail in ballots for the November elections are arriving in voters' mailboxes, get-out-the-vote campaigns are kicking into high gear.
Campaign Ads Target Political Activist
Now that Oregon voters have their ballots in hand, the people behind all of the campaigns are hoping their advertising messages pay off.
Registering Young Voters For The Good Of The Democracy
After weeks of flagging down students in dorms and on sidewalks, a coalition of Oregon non-profits said Monday it's registered 18,000 college students to vote.
That was the goal, and it's one day before the voter registration deadline. A bigger goal of 28,000 young people is in sight, as well.
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