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.

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.
More about Local Civics
$106M in Unspent Funds at the Portland Housing Bureau
The Portland Housing Bureau has $106 million in unspent funds, the city administrator disclosed late last week. Some of it may be spoken for, but it leaves open the question of how City Council will spend the funds. When the pot of unspent funds was believed to be only $21 million, City Council was divided over whether to spend it on rent assistance or a Prosper Portland housing project. Maybe all of the above are possible now. [Portland Mercury]
The Gas Tax and Oregon's Legislative Session
State lawmakers convene in Salem next week after a chaotic few weeks for Democratic state leaders as they scramble to address the issue of transportation funding. They have a key problem: Voters appear to oppose the gas tax passed last fall.
US Sen. Wyden Explains His Votes To Arm Israel
Oregon’s U.S. senators usually vote the same way (like for continuing the government shutdown until healthcare costs are addressed). But a key exception in recent months was Sen. Ron Wyden’s support for continued arms sales to Israel while Sen. Jeff Merkley voted to oppose them. Wyden’s support came up again last weekend — at a Portland Book Festival event featuring Omar Al Ekkad, author of “One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This” (a title you may recognize as “the one book every Portlander should read right now”).


