Republican Secretary of State candidate Dennis Richardson in 2014.
Michael Clapp / OPB
Dennis Richardson has won the Republican nomination for Oregon's secretary of state.
The former state lawmaker led with 78 percent of the vote. Republican rival Sid Leiken trailed with 22 of the vote.
Richardson is a Central Point Republican who campaigned for the office on a platform of increasing transparency in Oregon’s government. He said if he becomes secretary of state, he will increase auditing of government agencies and create more protections for whistleblowers.
In 2014, Richardson ran against then-Gov. John Kitzhaber. Kitzhaber resigned months after he won that election, citing media pressure over ethics concerns.
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Leiken is a Lane County commissioner and former Springfield mayor. He campaigned for the Republican nomination on a platform of encouraging business development in Oregon. Leiken said he would help bring balance to the State Land Board and bring businesses to rural communities. He also promised to push for open primaries.
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