OPB’s First Look: Primary election results

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Good morning, Northwest.

It’s the day after Oregon’s primary election, and the results are (mostly) in.

Oregon voters overwhelmingly rejected a measure to increase the gas tax and other fees to fund the state transportation department.

And a gubernatorial rematch between Sen. Christine Drazan and incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek is all but cemented.

This morning’s newsletter runs down the biggest stories from the primary election. Find full results here.

Here’s your First Look at Wednesday’s news.

— Bradley W. Parks

Top story

Oregon voters decisive as they reject gas tax, renominate Drazan

Oregonians soundly rejected a measure yesterday that would have plugged a transportation funding gap with a combination of taxes and increased fees, while Republican voters sent prominent state Sen. Christine Drazan to a November rematch with Democratic incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek.

Oregon’s primary played out against a backdrop of rising unease over cost of living that appeared to be reflected in voter sentiment. Measure 120, the transportation funding measure, would have raised gas prices by 6 cents per gallon at a time when fuel costs are surging nationwide.

Worries about rising costs appeared top of mind in some local elections as well, with voters in Clackamas County poised to vote down a public safety levy that would increase an existing property tax. (Joni Auden Land, Kyra Buckley and Holly Bartholomew)

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3 things to know

• Republican Christine Drazan wanted a rematch, and she’s going to get one. In 2022, Drazan faced off against Democrat Tina Kotek in the governor’s race, and early returns show she’s on her way to square off against Kotek again. (Lauren Dake)
• Oregon voters rejected a proposal to address Oregon’s road funding problems with new taxes and fees last night. The Associated Press called the race minutes after election officials posted early returns. (Bryce Dole)
• Christina Stephenson is on track to remain Oregon’s labor commissioner, a statewide position that oversees Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries. (Kyra Buckley)

Northwest headlines

• Juan Carlos González leading in Metro Council president race (Alex Zielinski)
• Revenge for Fischer, run-offs likely for incumbents in heated Clackamas County Commission races (Holly Bartholomew)
• Washington County races, including chair, appear headed for November run-off (Holly Bartholomew)
• A big night for Democrats in Deschutes County, early returns show (Kathryn Styer Martínez)
• Smith on track to hold onto Eastern Oregon House seat (Antonio Sierra)
• Clackamas County public safety levy poised to fail (Holly Bartholomew)
• Challenger Vanessa Nordyke leads incumbent Julie Hoy for Salem mayor in early returns (Natalie Pate)

In non-election news ...

• Portland Trail Blazers lay off employees in restructuring of business office (Kyra Buckley)
• Oregon DMV reviews use of undercover license plates for federal agents in wake of legal threat (Shaanth Nanguneri, Oregon Capital Chronicle)
• Oregon, Washington join states suing over new student loan limits on certain nursing and healthcare degrees (Cory Turner, NPR)
• Pac-12, Mountain West conferences agree to settlement in lawsuits over poaching and exit fees (John Marshall, AP)

Listen in on OPB’s daily conversation

“Think Out Loud” airs at noon and 8 p.m. weekdays on OPB Radio, opb.org and the OPB News app. Today’s planned topics (subject to change):

• Breaking down votes on gas tax, governor and more in the Oregon primary
• Former Nike Oregon Project runner tells her story in a new memoir

One more look

Yakama Nation members say huckleberry gathering continues to be fruitful without commercial harvesters

Over the last few decades, members of the Yakama Nation have found fewer and fewer huckleberries in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Southwest Washington.

But that began to change last year after commercial harvests were closed.

Tribal members say commercial harvesters picked too many berries and often damaged plants. Considered a First Food by many Northwest tribes, huckleberries also have faced other challenges in the region like wildfire suppression, drought and invasive species.

Elaine Harvey, a member of the Yakama Nation’s Rock Creek Band, calls it a “blessing” the Forest Service only allowed personal use permits last year and again this year.

“All these years there wasn’t berries,” Harvey said. “And last year the bushes were just loaded.” (Courtney Flatt, NWPB)

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