Bitzer Wins Klamath County Race as Oregon Sets November Matchups
Early unofficial results show Bitzer defeating incumbent Minty, Measure 120 failing statewide, and several major Oregon races moving toward November.
Steve Bitzer, right, appears to have won the Klamath County Commissioner Position 2 race outright, according to unofficial election results released Wednesday morning. Photo Bitzer For Klamath.
OREGON – Unofficial election results released Wednesday morning show several major November matchups taking shape across Oregon, while Southern Oregon voters delivered clear decisions in several local races and tax measures.
The results remain unofficial until certified, but early numbers from the Oregon Secretary of State showed statewide turnout at 32.16% as of Wednesday morning. Klamath County turnout was listed at 37.68%, while Jackson County turnout was listed at 38.84%.
In Klamath County, Steve Bitzer appears to have won the County Commissioner Position 2 race outright, defeating incumbent Kelley Minty and Elvina Contla. Bitzer held 61.41% of the vote in the Wednesday morning results, putting him above the 50% threshold and avoiding a November runoff if the margin holds.
Minty had 29.66%, while Contla had 5.45%.
Following the results, Bitzer thanked voters and supporters in a public statement, writing that he was “overwhelmed with gratitude” and said he does not take the community’s trust lightly. He also pointed to farmers, ranchers, small business owners, and local families as people whose stories helped fuel his campaign.
“The real work begins now,” Bitzer wrote, adding that he is ready to get to work for Klamath County.
Klamath County voters also rejected the Klamath County Fire District 4 local option tax. The measure was failing with 62.29% voting no and 37.71% voting yes. The Antelope Meadows Road Special District levy was passing, with 54.79% voting yes.
Statewide, Measure 120, a proposed increase to fuel taxes, registration and title fees, and a wage tax for public transportation services, was soundly defeated. Early results showed 83.34% voting no and 16.66% voting yes.
In the race for U.S. Senate, Democrat Jeff Merkley is set to face Republican David Brock Smith in November. Merkley easily won the Democratic primary, while Smith led a crowded Republican field that included Jo Rae Perkins and Brent Barker.
In Oregon’s 4th Congressional District, Democrat Val Hoyle and Republican Monique DeSpain are positioned for a November rematch. Hoyle led the Democratic primary with 77.37%, while DeSpain led the Republican primary with 86.72%.
Oregon’s governor race is also moving toward a familiar general election matchup. Gov. Tina Kotek won the Democratic primary, while Christine Drazan led the Republican field, setting up another Kotek-Drazan race in November. According to The Oregonian, Drazan told supporters Tuesday night that it was “a night of hope” as she celebrated the Republican primary result.
In the State Senate District 3 Democratic primary, Denise Krause held a narrow lead over Tonia Moro. Krause had 35.31% of the vote, while Moro had 34.09%. Republican Brad Hicks was leading his primary with no major opposition and is expected to advance.
In Jackson County, two local tax measures were passing by wide margins. The Rogue Valley Transportation District local option tax was passing with 63.10% voting yes, while the Ashland School District operating levy was passing with 78.76% voting yes.
Election results will continue to be updated as counties process and report remaining ballots.
For the latest Oregon election results visit https://results.oregonvotes.gov/
Cover image: Election workers process ballots in this Klamath Falls News archive photo. Unofficial Oregon primary results released Wednesday morning show several local races and tax measures taking shape across Southern Oregon. Photo by Brian Gailey/Klamath Falls News.
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