Last night’s primary elections saw several frontrunners prove predictions right by emerging as their party’s nominations for Oregon governor, U.S. senator and house representative, as well as the passing of measures 68 and 69.
By winning their party nominations last night, Democrat John Kitzhaber and Republican Chris Dudley are set to face off for governor in November’s general election.
On the left, former Gov. Kitzhaber brushed aside former Secretary of State Bill Bradley with his campaign’s dominant display of fundraising and political reach by gaining 66 percent of the Democratic votes. There were a total of three Democrat candidates running for gubernatorial office.
In his post-victory address to supporters, Kitzhaber reiterated the central platforms of his campaign: job creation, education reform, health care reform and environmental stewardship. The Democratic nominee called out the Republican opposition for harping on “a false choice between jobs and the environment,” and called for investment in Oregon’s green job sector. Kitzhaber will hold a press conference on jobs and energy efficiency Wednesday in Portland at the Da Vinci Arts Middle School.
Meanwhile, Republican political newcomer Chris Dudley proved that the polls dubbing him the late-blooming Republican powerhouse weren’t lying, as he defeated all other contenders to gain his party’s nomination for governor. There were nine candidates on the Republican ballot. Dudley gained 40 percent of Republican votes, defeating his closest competitor, Lake Oswego businessman Allen Alley by 8 percent. Dudley, a former NBA center, has used his political inexperience to distance himself from other candidates, portraying himself as an outsider with the ability to bring something new to Salem.
The Republican nominee wasted no time jabbing at his Democratic opponent as he committed himself to challenge Kitzhaber’s 20-year public record.
“It is a time for a new direction,” Dudley proclaimed in his victory speech. He went on to compare his campaign to a “comeback” for Oregon and Kitzhaber’s campaign to a “rerun.”
Dudley said if elected, he would cut taxes, balance the budget, invest in the state’s rainy day fund and reform K-12 and higher education.
In the U.S. Senate seat race, incumbent Ron Wyden (D-Ore) will face Republican victor Jim Huffman. Meanwhile, in the race for U.S. House Representative for Oregon District 4, which includes Eugene and Springfield, Democratic incumbent Peter DeFazio will square-off with Tea Party-backed Dr. Art Robinson.
Oregon voters passed state measures 68 and 69, which are expected to assist Oregon schools by giving K-12 and post secondary institutions more financial leeway.
At the local level, Lane County voters elected Jerry Rust for West Lane County Commissioner, Sid Leiken for Springfield Commissioner and Faye Stewart for East County Commissioner.
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