The 2016 Oregon special election made history for LGBT representation in American politics
In short: On November 8, 2016, Oregon held a unique gubernatorial special election to fill the remainder of a term vacated by a resignation. The result was a milestone for the United States, as the winner became the first openly LGBT person ever elected to a full term as a state governor.
The 2016 special election was necessitated by the resignation of Democratic Governor John Kitzhaber in February 2015. Kitzhaber had been re-elected in 2014, but his departure left two years remaining on his term. Kate Brown, who was serving as the Oregon Secretary of State at the time, succeeded him to the governorship and subsequently sought election to the office in her own right. This contest occurred concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election and various other federal and state races.
During the primary elections on May 17, 2016, Brown secured the Democratic nomination, while the Republicans selected Salem oncologist Bud Pierce as their candidate. The general election saw Brown emerge victorious, marking a significant moment in U.S. political history as she became the first openly LGBT person elected to a gubernatorial term. Additionally, the result was notable for Oregon state politics, as it was the first time since 1990 that a woman had been elected Governor of Oregon.
The election landscape was complex, involving candidates from various backgrounds and parties, including the Constitution Party and the Libertarian Party. The Independent Party of Oregon had also qualified as a major party in August 2015. Geographically, the voting patterns were diverse; Brown carried three of the state's five congressional districts, while Pierce won the remaining two. Notably, one of the districts won by Pierce had also elected a Democrat to the U.S. House of Representatives. As of 2026, this remains the most recent gubernatorial special election in the United States, excluding recall elections.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2016 Oregon gubernatorial special election
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