Biggest governor landslides in Oregon
The biggest landslide in a Oregon governor’s race was in 1942, a margin of 55.8 points. Earl Snell beat Lew Wallace, 220,188 to 62,561. Next widest are 1946 (38.1 points) and 1998 (34.4 points).
Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race Oregon has held, special elections included, see the Oregon governor hub.
What is the biggest landslide in a Oregon governor’s race?
The widest margin in a Oregon gubernatorial general election came in 1942, 55.8 points. Earl Snell beat Lew Wallace, 220,188 to 62,561. Next are 1946 (38.1 points) and 1998 (34.4 points).
Why do some huge wins not appear?
A blowout only counts here when somebody real finished second, which means at least 5% of the vote. Without that rule the list fills with uncontested races and with contests where the record is simply missing the major opponent, both of which show the winner near 100%.
Does this include recalls and special elections?
No, only regular general elections for governor. The Oregon governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1942 | Earl Snell R def. Lew Wallace D | 220,188 – 62,561 | +55.8 points |
| 2 | 1946 | Earl Snell R def. Carl C. Donaugh D | 237,681 – 106,474 | +38.1 points |
| 3 | 1998 | John Kitzhaber D def. Bill Sizemore R | 717,061 – 334,001 | +34.4 points |
| 4 | 1862 | A. C. Gibbs N def. John F. Miller D | 7,029 – 3,450 | +34.2 points |
| 5 | 1950 | Douglas McKay R def. Austin F. Flegel D | 334,160 – 171,750 | +32.1 points |
| 6 | 1930 | Julius Meier I def. Edward F. Bailey D | 135,608 – 62,434 | +29.4 points |
| 7 | 1982 | Victor Atiyeh R def. Ted Kulongoski D | 639,841 – 374,316 | +25.5 points |
| 8 | 1894 | William Paine Lord R def. Nathan Pierce P | 41,139 – 26,123 | +17.2 points |
| 9 | 1974 | Robert Straub D def. Victor Atiyeh R | 444,812 – 324,751 | +15.6 points |
| 10 | 1938 | Charles A. Sprague R def. Henry L. Hess D | 214,062 – 158,744 | +14.8 points |
| 11 | 1922 | Walter M. Pierce D def. Ben W. Olcott R | 133,392 – 99,164 | +14.7 points |
| 12 | 1954 | Paul L. Patterson R def. Joseph K. Carson D | 322,522 – 244,170 | +13.8 points |
| 13 | 1962 | Mark O. Hatfield R def. Robert Y. Thornton D | 345,497 – 265,359 | +12.6 points |
| 14 | 1898 | Theodore Thurston Geer R def. William R. King D | 45,093 – 34,542 | +12.4 points |
| 15 | 1926 | I. L. Patterson R def. Walter M. Pierce D | 120,073 – 93,470 | +11.7 points |
| 16 | 1970 | Tom McCall R def. Robert Straub D | 369,964 – 293,892 | +11.4 points |
| 17 | 1914 | James Withycombe R def. C. J. Smith D | 121,037 – 94,594 | +10.7 points |
| 18 | 1958 | Mark O. Hatfield R def. Robert D. Holmes D | 331,900 – 267,934 | +10.7 points |
| 19 | 1966 | Tom McCall R def. Robert Straub D | 377,346 – 305,008 | +10.6 points |
| 20 | 1918 | James Withycombe R def. Walter M. Pierce D | 81,067 – 65,440 | +10.2 points |
| 21 | 1858 | John Whiteaker D def. E. M. Barnum D | 5,134 – 4,213 | +9.8 points |
| 22 | 1978 | Victor Atiyeh R def. Robert Straub D | 498,452 – 409,411 | +9.8 points |
| 23 | 1994 | John Kitzhaber D def. Denny Smith R | 622,083 – 517,874 | +8.5 points |
| 24 | 2006 | Ted Kulongoski D def. Ron Saxton R | 699,786 – 589,748 | +8.0 points |
| 25 | 1890 | Sylvester Pennoyer D def. David P. Thompson R | 38,920 – 33,765 | +7.1 points |