It’s looking like there might be some good news for that rare breed: the Oregon Republican.
Today, we’re breaking down some key races that could shape the future of our state and our country. These are ones political experts are watching, and that voters will decide in these last days of the 2022 election season. (Get your ballots in a dropbox by 8 p.m. tomorrow.)
Governor’s Race
In the governor’s race, national outlets — the Times, Vanity Fair, and Vox, to name a few — have focused on this election because it’s competitive and counter to the usual narrative. (I wrote this story back in February, so political insiders have known for a while this election could be tough for the Democrats.) Despite a 35-year Democratic hold on the governor’s office, polls have consistently shown Republican candidate Christine Drazan within a point or two of Democrat Tina Kotek. The race is considered a tossup.
Tina Kotek, the Democratic candidate for governor, cast her ballot earlier this month. (Getty Images/Mathieu Lewis-Rolland, stringer)
Congress
The U.S. House of Representatives is looking like it’ll flip to a GOP majority tomorrow. Locally, there are at least three tight congressional races. Oregon’s 5th congressional district, formerly held by a Democrat, now leans Republican. So does Washington’s 3rd congressional district, where a Republican incumbent who voted for impeachment was defeated by a MAGA Republican. Oregon’s new congressional district, the 6th, is a nail biter.
Other Elections
It’ll also be interesting to see what happens with control of the Oregon Legislature, where Republicans may have a shot at picking up seats. Stay tuned.
