Democratic Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has declared victory over Republican State Senator Christine Drazan. Kotek says the election was about building a future with more affordable housing, more access to affordable health care, and access to affordable childcare. Drazan says the race isn't over and she won't go quietly. Drazan says more votes need to be counted before she will concede the race.
Merkley Wins Fourth Term
Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley has been elected to a fourth term. He's leading Republican State Senator David Brock Smith by 16 points. Merkley says he stands against President Trump's authoritarian assault on the nation. Merkley says that under Trump, billionaires win and families lose.
Oregon's Congressional Delegation Holds Seats
All of Oregon's Congressional delegation held their seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Democrats Suzanne Bonamici, Maxine Dexter, Val Hoyle, Janelle Bynum and Andrea Salinas won with significant margins. Congressman Cliff Bentz, Oregon's only Republican Representative, defeated his challenger by more than 20 percentage points.
Portland Voters Defeat Spending Measure
Portland voters soundly defeated a proposed charter amendment to give voters a say in city budgeting. The measure would have created a process where the public would decide how two percent of the budget, about 16-million-dollars, would be spent. Two-thirds of voters said no.
Multnomah County Chair, Portland Council
Ranked choice voting was used to decide Multnomah County and Portland City Council races. In the race for County Chair, Shannon Singleton leads Julie Brim-Edwards by 12 percentage points. In the race for six open Portland City Council positions, incumbents will likely hold on to their three seats in District Three and three seats in District Four.