Governor John A. Kitzhaber (Democratic), who was first elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014, resigned Wednesday 18 February 2015 amid a scandal involving payments an advocacy group made to this fiancée. Secretary of State Kate Brown (Democratic) ascended to the Governor's chair upon the Governor's official resignation and will serve until a Tuesday 8 November 2016 Special Election is held.

Secretary of State Kate Brown (Democratic) who was first elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2012 ascended to the Governor's chair upon the 18 February 2015 resignation of Governor John A. Kitzhaber (Democratic). Deputy Robert Taylor became acting Secretary of State when Kate Brown was sworn.
On 6 March 2015, Governor Kate Brown appointed Jeanne Atkins (Democratic) as Secretary of State effective 11 March 2015.

Non-vacancy case: This office can be won at the Primary Election if; only one (1) candidate files for this office in the Primary or two (2) or more candidates file for this office and one (1) receives 50% +1 of vote. A candidate will be nominated at the Primary Election and go forward to the General Election if; two (2) or more candidates file for this office and no one receives the majority of votes at the Primary. The top two (2) vote getters are then nominated to go forward to the General Election.

Vacancy special cases: IF this office becomes vacant due to retirement, resignation, recall or death AND

• 1 or 2 candidate(s) file for the Primary THEN the primary is cancelled and the candidate(s) proceed to the November election.
• 3 or more candidate(s) file for the Primary THEN all candidates compete in the May primary. If a candidate receives a majority of the vote that candidate proceeds to the November election. Otherwise, the top two vote getters go to a runoff in November.

[OR Revised Statutes 249.088]

"FEC" indicates the Federal Election Commission (FEC) Campaign Finance Summary.

When available, we post each candidate's FEC identification number, the date of their most recently filed Report of Receipts and Disbursements, their "Tot" [Total Receipts (contributions received or what came in: FEC Form 3, Line 16, Column B)] and their "Dsb" [Total Disbursements (expenditures or what was spent: FEC Form 3, Line 23, Column B)]. A link is provided to the Federal Election Commission's Summary Report for those who might wish to explore the details.

If a candidate raises or spends $5,000 or less, he or she is not subject to FEC reporting requirements.