PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon’s primary election was Tuesday night. While there were clear winners in some of the statewide races, several of the races affecting Portland government were still unclear Wednesday afternoon.
As of noon Wednesday, more than 1.3 million ballots had been returned, according to the Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division.
Tap here to get results in all races and measures statewide.
Here’s a look at some of the big races across the city, county and state.
Portland Mayor
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler had a big lead, but it remained unclear Wednesday whether he'd finish with the support needed to win a second term the primary. Wheeler needs to finish with more than 50% of the vote in order to win a second term outright.
If he doesn't, Wheeler and the candidate who received the second-most votes, Sarah Iannarone, will be in a runoff in the November general election. That option seemed to be the most likely outcome as of Wednesday afternoon.
As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, Wheeler had less than 50% of the vote, at 49.39%, while Iannarone stood at 23.84%.
Secretary of State
State senator Mark Hass had been the projected winner of a tightly-contested Democratic primary for Oregon's Secretary of State on Tuesday night, according to The Oregonian. But overnight his lead over civil rights attorney Shemia Fagan dramatically shrank.
And then by Wednesday evening Fagan took the lead.
As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, the race was too close to call, as Fagan was only ahead by 2,729 votes. That's just over half of a percentage point.
The winner of the race will face Republican state senator Kim Thatcher in November's general election.
Secretary of State is the second-highest ranking position in Oregon. Republican Dennis Richardson died in office in 2019 after a battle with brain cancer. His replacement, Bev Clarno, agreed not to run for re-election when accepting the interim appointment.
Multnomah County District Attorney
Mike Schmidt, the executive director of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, is the projected winner of the Multnomah County District Attorney race.
After 30 years in the prosecutor’s office and seven years in the lead role, current district attorney Rod Underhill is stepping down at the end of 2020.
Portland Commissioner
Carmen Rubio is the projected winner for Commissioner Position No. 1, which was open after Commissioner Amanda Fritz chose not to run for reelection. Rubio the first Latinx candidate elected commissioner in Portland.
A special election is being held to fill the late Nick Fish's seat for Commissioner Position No. 2. Fish died in January after a battle with cancer. Early results show a close race with former Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith leading with nearly 19% of the vote, as of noon Wednesday. It appears the top two candidates will be in a runoff later this year.
It was also a tight race for Commissioner Position No. 4, currently held by Chloe Eudaly. Eudaly and community organizer Mingus Mapps on Wednesday appeared to be headed for a runoff election, with 31% and 29% of the vote, respectively. Former mayor Sam Adams, who was a close third with 28%, conceded just after 6 p.m.
Beaverton Mayor / City Charter
It's projected incumbent Mayor Denny Doyle and challenger Lacey Beaty, a city councilor, will advance to a runoff in the November general election.
Voters also addressed the city’s government style in Tuesday’s primary.
It’s projected that Beaverton residents passed Measure 34-298, meaning the city will adopt a new form of government in which a city manager appointed by the city council, not the mayor, will oversee the city’s day-to-day operations, among other changes.
Metro Measure 26-210
Portland metro area voters have approved a homeless services tax puts a 1% tax on income over $125,000 a year for individuals and on income over $200,000 a year for couples. Joint filers making $215,000 a year, for example, would be taxed 1% on $15,000, or $150 a year. It also places a separate 1% tax on profits from businesses with gross receipts of more than $5 million.
Metro officials estimate the measure will bring in an annual $250 million to be spent on things like addiction and mental health services, employment support and rent assistance.
Oregon 2nd Congressional District
Former Republican state senator Cliff Bentz is the projected winner in a crowded Republican primary for Oregon's 2nd Congressional District.
The Democratic primary was still too close to call Tuesday night.
Oregon’s only Republican in Congress, Rep. Greg Walden, announced plans last October to retire. The 2nd Congressional District covers all of Eastern Oregon and the Medford area.
Oregon 5th Congressional District
Kurt Schrader, a farmer and retired veterinarian who has represented the district since he was first elected in 2008, has won the Democratic primary. Schrader defeated Milwaukie Mayor Mark Gamba.
He'll face Republican primary winner Amy Ryan Courser in November's general election.
Oregon's fifth Congressional district is one of the most politically and geographically diverse districts in the state, including parts of Portland, Marion and the Oregon Coast.