Battle of Middle Boggy Depot

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The 1984 United States Senate election in Oregon took place on November 6, 1984. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield was re-elected to a fourth term in office, defeating Democratic State Senator Margie Hendriksen. As of 2022, this is the last U.S. Senate race in Oregon where every county voted for the same candidate.

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Mark Hatfield, incumbent Senator
  • Ralph H. Preston
  • Sherry Reynolds
  • John T. Schiess

Results

Democratic primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Hatfield (incumbent) 214,114 78.53%
Republican John T. Schiess 26,848 9.85%
Republican Sherry Reynolds 18,590 6.82%
Republican Ralph H. Preston 12,662 4.64%
Write-in All others 423 0.16%
Total votes 272,637 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Margie Hendriksen, State Senator from Portland
  • Sam Kahl

Results

Democratic primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Margie Hendriksen 249,152 75.47%
Democratic Sam Kahl 79,317 24.02%
Write-in All others 1,688 0.51%
Total votes 330,157 100.00%

General election

Campaign

During the campaign, Hendriksen primarily attacked Hatfield by stressing what she perceived to be flawed priorities.[3] Hatfield was often criticized for the scandal involving Basil Tsakos, but the controversy of the scandal declined over the course of the campaign.[4] He was also criticized by those who stressed environmental protection for his support of President Reagan's appointment of James G. Watt to the position of Secretary of the Interior.[5] However, Hatfield's in-person campaign strategy proved successful, as he beat Hendricksen by 402,040 votes, and gained nearly double her percentage.

Results

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1984 United States Senate election in Oregon[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mark Hatfield (incumbent) 808,152 66.53% Increase4.88
Democratic Margie Hendriksen 406,122 33.43% Decrease4.83
Independent Republican Ralph H. Preston 461 0.04% N/A
Total votes 1,214,735 100.00%
Republican hold Swing

See also

References