State Landscape
Tuesday, March 8 was the last day candidates in Oregon could file with the Secretary of State to run for state and federal level office in the 2016 primary elections. “Filing Day” is a marker of how competitive an election cycle may be and indicates potential turnover for the next state legislative session.
Fourteen state representatives and four state senators are not returning to the Oregon Legislature either because they are retiring or have filed to run for a different office. This list includes a legislator from the Lane County-area: State Representative Val Hoyle (D-Eugene & Junction City), who is running for Secretary of State. It also includes both co-chairs of the budget-writing Ways & Means Committee: State Senator Richard Devlin (D-Tigard), who is running for Secretary of State; and State Representative Peter Buckley (D-Ashland), who has not filed for another office. Historically, presidential election cycles result in higher voter turnout than in off-years, which could make a difference in swing legislative seats (districts with close Democratic vs. Republican Party registration rates).
State House of Representatives:
The following incumbent state representatives did not file for re-election:
- District 1, State Representative Wayne Krieger (R-South Oregon Coast)
- District 5, State Representative Peter Buckley (D-Ashland)
- District 14, State Representative Val Hoyle (D-W Eugene & Junction City)
- District 22, State Representative Betty Komp (D-Woodburn)
- District 24, State Representative Jim Weidner (R-McMinnville)
- District 26, State Representative John Davis (R-Wilsonville)
- District 27, State Representative Tobias Read (D-Beaverton)
- District 30, State Representative Joe Gallegos (D-Hillsboro)
- District 40, State Representative Brent Barton (D-Oregon City/Gladstone)
- District 43, State Representative Lew Frederick (D-N/NE Portland)
- District 41, State Representative Kathleen Taylor (D-Milwaukie)
- District 47, State Representative Jessica Vega Pederson (D-East Portland)
- District 51, State Representative Shemia Fagan (D-Clackamas/Happy Valley)
- District 56, State Representative Gail Whitsett (R-Klamath Falls)
State Senate:
The following incumbent state senators did not file for re-election:
- District 19, State Senator Richard Devlin (D-Tigard)
- District 21, State Senator Diane Rosenbaum (D-Milwaukie)
- District 22, State Senator Chip Shields (D-Portland)
- District 28, State Senator Doug Whitsett (D-Klamath Falls)
Federal:
All of Oregon’s U.S. House members plus U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) are up for re-election in 2016. Several face primary challenges, crowded Republican fields or opponents who have previously run. Lane County Commissioner Faye Stewart and Medford City Councilor Kevin Stine are among those vying for the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Senator Wyden.
Search the Oregon Secretary of State’s database to learn more about who filed for office earlier this month by visiting this link: https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/CFSearchPage.do.
Local: City of Eugene
The deadline for city level offices in Eugene was March 2. Municipal positions are nonpartisan and are not selected on the basis of party affiliation. If any one candidate receives more than 50% of the votes cast for the office in May, that candidate’s name will be the only one appearing on the November General Election ballot. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast for that office in the primary, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be listed on the November ballot.
Eugene Mayor
For the first time in 12 years, Eugene’s mayoral contest is an open seat, for which five candidates vying. Candidates are Bob Cassidy, Mike Clark (current City Councilor, Ward 5), Scott Landfield, Stefan Strek, and Lucy Vinis.
Eugene City Council
George Brown, City Councilor for Ward 1, which covers much of downtown and areas just west of downtown, is not seeking re-election. Five candidates are vying for the position: Chad Anderson, Kelly Body, Emily Semple, Joshua Skov, and Chris Wig.
Current city councilors Betty Taylor (Ward 2), Claire Syrett (Ward 7), and Chris Pryor (Ward 8) are seeking re-election and are running unopposed. Alan Zelenka (Ward 3), which covers neighborhoods surrounding UO’s main campus, is not up for re-election in this cycle.
Eugene Water and Electric Board
Running for re-election to the board of commissioners unopposed are Steve Mital (wards 1 and 8) and Dick Helgeson (wards 2 and 3). Sonya Carlson and Gary Malone are vying for the position vacated by James Manning (wards 6 and 7), who is running for state representative district 14.