Oregon's United States congressional districtsVoters' pamphlet for the 2010 general election
The 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon were held on November 2, 2010, to determine who would represent the state of Oregon in the United States House of Representatives. Oregon has five seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. All five incumbents, four Democrats and one Republican, were re-elected to another term. Representatives were elected for two-year terms to serve in the 112th Congress from January 3, 2011, until January 3, 2013; however, re-elected Congressman David Wu resigned partway through his term on August 3, 2011, and a special election was held to fill the rest of his unexpired term.
A primary election for Democrats and Republicans was held on May 18.[1] Other parties have other procedures for nominating candidates.
Incumbent Democrat David Wu has represented Oregon's 1st congressional district since 1998 and was re-elected to a seventh term in 2010, defeating sports marketing consultant Rob Cornilles, who won the Republican primary.[5]
In 2008, Wu won with 71% of the vote. He faced no Republican opponent because the winner of the Republican primary, Joel Haugen, changed his affiliation to the Independent Party of Oregon after his endorsement of Democrat Barack Obama for president drew objections from Republican party leaders.[6]
Incumbent Republican Greg Walden has represented Oregon's 2nd congressional district since 1998, and was re-elected to a seventh term in 2010, defeating Democrat Joyce Segers, a writer from Ashland. Both candidates were unopposed in their respective primaries.[5]
Incumbent Democrat Peter DeFazio, the senior member of Oregon's House delegation, was re-elected to a 13th term in 2010, defeating chemist Arthur B. Robinson, winner of the Republican primary.[5] DeFazio had briefly considered a run for Governor of Oregon.[16] He has represented Oregon's 4th congressional district since 1986. In 2008, with no Republican opposition, he won 82% of the vote.
Springfield mayor Sid Leiken announced his candidacy as a Republican, but dropped it in March 2010 to run for a seat on the Lane County Board of Commissioners.[17] Leiken had faced controversy over money paid to his campaign that he said was reimbursement for a poll conducted by his mother's company. No documentation existed for the payment, which is a possible violation of Oregon election laws.[18]
Democratic incumbent Kurt Schrader defeated Republican nominee Oregon State RepresentativeScott Bruun and Pacific Green and Progressive candidate Chris Lugo to win a second term in Oregon's 5th congressional district. Schrader was first elected in 2008, winning against Republican nominee Mike Erickson after six-term Democratic incumbent Darlene Hooley announced her retirement. The district is usually the most competitive in Oregon, though it has become more Democratic in recent years.[5]
