Through the first months of 2004, the Democratic Party presidential primaries took place throughout the United States to determine which candidate would run against incumbent Republican president George W. Bush in the general election.

By the time of the May 18 primary, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry had already attained enough delegates to ensure his nomination, and most other candidates had dropped out of the race.

[1] Although Kerry had already secured the nomination, Kucinich spent weeks actively campaigning in the state, making public appearances and running TV ads.

[1] He hoped that a successful showing in Oregon would influence Kerry to adopt more liberal issue positions.

[1] The Los Angeles Times quoted an Oregon pollster who interpreted the results as an indication that "Democrats will stomach a lot to get rid of George Bush this year", regardless of their feelings about Kerry.