1992 United States Senate election in Oregon

none March 2026 September 2023 1992 United States Senate election in Oregon Oregon presidential no 1986 United States Senate election in Oregon 1986 1996 United States Senate special election in Oregon 1996 (special) November 3, 1992 File:RWPackwood.jpg 150x150px Bob Packwood Republican Party (United States) 717,455 52.14% File:Les Aucoin official.jpg Les AuCoin Democratic Party (United States) 639,851 46.50% U.S. Senator Bob Packwood Republican Party (United States) Bob Packwood Republican Party (United States) 1992 United States Senate election in Oregon results map by county.svg 260px County results Packwood: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% AuCoin: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% The 1992 United States Senate election in Oregon was held on November 3, 1992. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Bob Packwood won re-election to his fifth term. As of , this is the last time the Republicans won the Class 3 U.S. Senate seat in Oregon. Background As the election season got underway, analysts from both major parties predicted that Packwood would have one of the toughest seats to defend in what was anticipated to be a volatile election year. Demos, GOP look to the West for vote gains The Oregonian December 21, 1991 Roberta Ulrich Packwood was regarded as one of the nation's "most powerful elected officials" Bob Packwood Willamette Week September 16, 2009 with "extraordinary political instincts". Packwood Is Leaving As a Pariah In His State Timothy Egan The New York Times September 9, 1995 But the state's largest newspaper, The Oregonian, had described AuCoin (Packwood's presumed main challenger) as having "persistence, imagination and clout [that] have made him the most powerful congressman in Oregon and one of the most influential members from the Northwest."The Oregonian, June 13, 1988. Democratic primary Campaign For AuCoin, however, first came the Democratic primary. He faced Portland attorney Joe Wetzel and Bend businessman Harry Lonsdale in what became a "brutal, bitter" Great political lineup in Oregon primary, but it's not the NBA – is voters' mood a pregame show for Washington? Mark Matassa The Seattle Times May 18, 1992 contest. Senate aspirant proposes restoring tax deductions December 31, 1991 Jeff Mapes The Oregonian Lonsdale, who had run a close race against incumbent Mark Hatfield for Oregon's other Senate seat in 1990, emerged as AuCoin's principal rival; Wetzel, who criticized Packwood and AuCoin as long-term, ineffective members of Congress, U.S. Senate candidate urges tax law reforms Dan Hortsch January 30, 1992 The Oregonian trailed throughout the race, and was not invited to an April debate sponsored by the City Club of Portland. No debate for Wetzel? Inconceivable! Steve Duin January 28, 1992 The Oregonian Lonsdale took on "the Les AuCoin-Mark Hatfield-Bob Packwood coalition" as his primary cause, stating "I consider Les AuCoin a good man who has been corrupted by PAC money over the years". THE RETURN OF A CAREER CANDIDATE Duin Steve September 19, 1991 The Oregonian B07 In a race the Seattle Times called "as negative as many voters can remember", Lonsdale attacked AuCoin as "corrupt" and tied to the timber industry. Demo Senate primary gets rough Jeff Mapes February 9, 1992 The Oregonian Lonsdale's environmental credentials also came under scrutiny, Lonsdale Firm's Hazardous Waste Violated No Rules The Register – Guard – Eugene, Or. Walth Brent March 21, 1992 https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/registerguard/access/6606344.html?dids=6606344:6606344&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT https://archive.today/20130131195022/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/registerguard/access/6606344.html?dids=6606344:6606344&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT dead January 31, 2013 October 8, 2009 and AuCoin noted Lonsdale's reversal of support for nuclear power and belated opposition to the re-opening of Trojan Nuclear Power Plant. Lonsdale, in about-face, opposes nuclear power, Trojan restart Jeff Mapes January 5, 1992 The Oregonian AuCoin turned accusations of undue influence back on Lonsdale, pointing out that his company (Bend Research) had received millions in federal defense contracts. AuCoin takes Lonsdale's role in debate Jeff Mapes March 29, 1992 The Oregonian Even during the primary, Packwood and AuCoin traded barbs on various issues. Packwood, AuCoin exchange accusations Jeff Mapes February 18, 1992 The Oregonian Packwood joined Lonsdale in criticizing AuCoin for his involvement in what was reported as a rash of check-bouncing among members of Congress; AuCoin characterized the issue as a series of mistakes, rather than gross abuses. Oregonians check books Alan K. Ota Roberta Ulrich March 14, 1992 The Oregonian In what was believed to be an unprecedented move, Packwood attempted to influence the Democratic primary's outcome by running television ads against AuCoin. The 1992 Campaign; Close Vote for Oregon Senate Seat Insures Recount May 24, 1992 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/24/us/the-1992-campaign-close-vote-for-oregon-senate-seat-insures-recount.html October 8, 2009 Ultimately, the results of the Democratic primary were so close that an automatic recount was triggered. AuCoin held a news conference on May 23 in the South Park Blocks stating he would wait for the recount, but the margin was currently 248 votes in his favor. AUCOIN WAITS FOR OFFICIAL DECLARATION OF VICTORY Hamilton Don May 24, 1992 The Oregonian D05 On June 18, over a month after the primary election, AuCoin was certified as having won by 330 votes. State puts its seal on AuCoin's victory The Oregonian June 18, 1992 Jeff Mapes Upon conceding the race, Lonsdale pondered mounting a write-in campaign, reiterating that Oregon needed an "outsider" in the Senate. A recount in the Democratic Senate primary is... The Oregonian June 9, 1992 Jeff Mapes Lonsdale concedes primary loss with attack on AuCoin, Packwood Jeff Mapes June 19, 1992 The Oregonian Results thumb|Results by county AuCoin #bdd3ff 30–40% #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% Lonsdale #acf2f2 30–40% #7ddddd 40–50% #51c2c2 50–60% Democratic primary for the United States Senate from Oregon, 1992http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=246296 Oregon US Senate Democratic Primary Race, May 19, 1992 ourcampaigns.com April 2, 2010 Democratic Party (United States) Les AuCoin 153,029 42.18% Democratic Party (United States) Harry Lonsdale 152,699 42.09% Democratic Party (United States) Joseph Wetzel 31,183 8.87% Democratic Party (United States) Bob Bell 23,700 6.53% Democratic Party (United States) Miscellaneous 1,194 0.33% 361,805 100.00% Republican primary Campaign Packwood had gone through a divorce in 1991, and his ex-wife threatened to run against him amid mounting concerns about his "eye for the ladies". The socially conservative Oregon Citizens Alliance (OCA) was at the apex of its statewide prominence with 1992's anti-gay Measure 9 and its newly formed American Heritage Party (AHP). The group endorsed Republican challenger Joe Lutz, who had run against Packwood in the past on a family values platform; but Lutz soon withdrew, announcing a divorce of his own. As early as January, the OCA considered backing former gubernatorial candidate Al Mobley as an independent or as a member of the AHP. Mobley, OCA consider independent Senate race Jeff Mapes January 16, 1992 The Oregonian OCA party needs more normal name David Sarasohn David Sarasohn July 26, 1992 The Oregonian Mobley ultimately decided in mid-August not to run, stating that he could not bear the idea that he might be responsible for causing AuCoin to be elected. Big break for Sen. Packwood Maralee Schwartz Thomas B. Edsall The Washington Post August 16, 1992 Packwood's most significant challenge thus came from little-known conservative Medford attorney John DeZell, who campaigned on the family values issue. Capitol to Cabinet: Some potential picks USA Today December 3, 1992 Richard Wolf https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/56243132.html?dids=56243132:56243132&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT%3A https://web.archive.org/web/20121023081639/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/56243132.html?dids=56243132:56243132&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT: dead October 23, 2012 April 2, 2010 Packwood cruised to victory over DeZell and several other candidates. Results thumb|Results by county Packwood #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% Republican primary for the United States Senate from Oregon, 1992http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=246333 Oregon US Senate Republican Primary Race, May 19, 1992 ourcampaigns.com April 2, 2010 Republican Party (United States) Bob Packwood (incumbent) 176,939 59.10% Republican Party (United States) John DeZell 61,128 20.42% Republican Party (United States) Stephanie J. Salvey 27,088 9.05% Republican Party (United States) Randy Prince 20,358 6.80% Republican Party (United States) Valentine Christian 10,501 3.51% Republican Party (United States) Miscellaneous 3,397 1.14% 299,411 100.00% General election Campaign By the end of June, when the recount was complete, AuCoin was nearly out of campaign funds; Packwood entered the general election race with $3.2 million Let's make a deal June 26, 1992 The Oregonian Packwood rejects AuCoin's spending-lid plan Jeff Mapes June 23, 1992 The Oregonian and was ranked sixth nationwide among Senators raising funds outside their home state during the 1990–1992 election season. Packwood ranked sixth in Senate in raising money outside of state Alan K. Ota July 2, 1992 The Oregonian AuCoin opposed weakening the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to erase the Northern Spotted Owl's impact on the timber industry, but Packwood ("one of the timber industry's chief allies," according to Oregon State University political scientist William Lunch Catching a 'Chameleon': Senate Wrestles With Packwood Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-11-03-mn-52686-story.html November 3, 1993 Karen Tumulty ) assailed "environmental extremists" and introduced legislation to convene a presidential cabinet committee to exempt the endangered owl from the ESA. Packwood Wants Changes In Endangered Species Act Spokane Chronicle October 18, 1990 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1345&dat=19901018&id=EssSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_fkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6800,2600184 In September, Packwood pulled ads that had falsely criticized AuCoin for missing votes while speaking to special interest groups. Inaccuracy found Jeff Mapes The Oregonian September 26, 1992 By October, Packwood had raised $8 million, Data sparse on Packwood's donors Alak K. Ota The Oregonian October 30, 1992 spending $5.4 million more than AuCoin, and leading all Senate incumbents. Packwood sets '92 campaign spending record The Oregonian May 25, 1993 Don Hamilton http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:ORGB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB087CBCE407D62&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D10F2CADB4B24C0 October 8, 2009 Yet that fall, the two candidates were in a dead heat, with Packwood continuing to criticize AuCoin on attendance, his House bank account and the spotted owl, and AuCoin echoing the campaign of popular Presidential candidate Bill Clinton by accusing Packwood of favoring the wealthy over the middle class. Packwood, AuCoin in dead heat, new poll finds Jeff Mapes The Oregonian October 29, 1992 The outcome of the bruising race was too close to call on election night, but on the following day, Packwood emerged as the winner with about 52% of the vote to AuCoin's 47. In his victory press conference, Packwood endorsed AuCoin for Secretary of the Interior in the Clinton administration. Sen. Packwood Backs Foe For Cabinet The San Francisco Chronicle November 5, 1992 The Associated Press The Bulletin (Bend) November 5, 1992 Cain Brad April 10, 2010 Packwood: defeated foe would be good Interior chief https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1hcpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mYYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7093,1262600 When told of Packwood's comments, AuCoin responded by saying "I think that's real special." Victorious Packwood boosts foe for cabinet Jeff Mapes November 5, 1992 The Oregonian Results General election resultshttp://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3501 Oregon US Senate Race, Nov 3, 1992 ourcampaigns.com April 2, 2010 Republican Party (United States) Bob Packwood (incumbent) 717,455 52.14% Democratic Party (United States) Les AuCoin 639,851 46.50% Write-In Miscellaneous 12,934 0.94% Independent (United States) Harry Lonsdale 5,793 0.42% 1,376,033 100.00% Republican Party (United States) Democratic Party (United States) Aftermath Magnifying the controversy of the race was a decision by The Washington Post to delay until after the election coverage of its year-long investigation into detailed claims of sexual abuse and assault made by 10 women against Packwood. What Delayed Packwood Expose? December 3, 1992 Raymond R. Coffey http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4143666.html https://web.archive.org/web/20121025112731/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4143666.html usurped October 25, 2012 HighBeam Research subscription Chicago Sun-Times October 8, 2009 Packwood may quit soon, his lawyer says Chicago Tribune November 20, 1993 Elaine S. Povichhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/congress.htm#packwood The Washington Post Special Report: Clinton Accused April 2, 2010 January 31, 1999 http://www.seattlepi.com/archives/1992/9212060058.asp Packwood story angers Oregon, women want him to resign Connelly Joel Seattle Post-Intelligencer December 5, 1992 April 2, 2010 The paper ultimately published the story two months after election day. Oregon's largest daily newspaper, The Oregonian, did not break the story either, despite its own investigation and its congressional correspondent being subjected to Packwood's advances. The paper's editor would later admit to having been less than aggressive in pursuing the story due to concerns about "...ruining a man's career."A Newspaper Confesses: We Missed the Story Cheryl Reid January–February 1993 American Journalism Review http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=2101 October 8, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20100613032339/http://ajr.org/Article.asp?id=2101 June 13, 2010 dead A group of Oregon voters battled Packwood lawyers in briefs before the Senate Rules Committee in an unsuccessful attempt to persuade the panel to refuse to seat the senator on the grounds of election fraud for lying about the abuses. Group says Packwood lied, asks Senate to nullify election Chicago Tribune May 11, 1993 Elaine S. Povich http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0FFEC9C4E25EA4AA&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D10F2CADB4B24C0 October 8, 2009 The senator admitted to the acts in 1994 and resigned after the Senate Ethics Committee censured him for his conduct in 1995. Decline and fall: Senator Bob Packwood resigns after censure by Senate Ethics Committee Newsweek September 25, 1995 AuCoin was considered for Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of the Army in the new Clinton administration, though he was not offered either post. Capitol to Cabinet: Some potential picks USA Today December 3, 1992 Richard Wolf https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/56243132.html?dids=56243132:56243132&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT%3A https://web.archive.org/web/20121023081639/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/56243132.html?dids=56243132:56243132&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT: dead October 23, 2012 October 8, 2009 When news of Packwood's resignation broke, AuCoin stated that he would not come out of retirement to run for the seat. He also stated that he would not engage in professional lobbying, but was criticized the next year for becoming the chairman of the government relations practice group in the law firm Bogle & Gates. AuCoin takes job as lobbyist in D.C. Foster Church January 26, 1993 The Oregonian AuCoin now lobbying for timber industry Jeff Mapes June 11, 1993 The Oregonian See also 1992 United States Senate elections References 2 Oregon 1992 Senate