While much of the country was focused on political events in Wisconsin Tuesday, a separate recall vote was taking place in Eastern Oregon. Hermiston residents voted to keep Bob Serverson as their mayor. They also rejected efforts to oust four city councilors.
In the mayor’s race, close to 45 percent voted for recall. 55 percent voted against. Other votes were closer. Councilor Frank Harkenrider escaped recall by just 25 votes.
More than 6000 residents were eligible to cast a ballot in the recall. Patti Chapman, Elections Manager in Umatilla County says only 29 percent turned out to vote, a low percentage she says for a recall election.
About 700 residents signed petitions to recall the officials. That effort started after allegations of employee mistreatment forced a shakeup within the Hermiston Police Department.
