Oregon primary – Oregon voters cast ballots Tuesday, May 19, in U.S. House, Senate and gubernatorial primaries. The results set up November midterms, with Democrats dominating several House districts, Jeff Merkley heading toward re-election, and Tina Kotek facing Christine Dra
Oregon voters headed to the polls on Tuesday, May 19, choosing nominees for the U.S. House, one U.S. Senate seat and the state’s governor. With November midterms still months away. the primary outcomes narrowed the field—and sharpened the picture of who will be trying to win control of seats in Washington and the state capital.
Oregon’s current U.S. House delegation stands at one Republican and five Democrats. The May 19 results determine who will appear on the ballot across all six congressional districts.
In District 1, Republican Barbara J. Kahl won with 71.8% of the vote, with an estimated 79% of the votes counted. Her Democratic opponent will be incumbent Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, who won with 88.2% of the vote, with an estimated 73% of the votes counted.
District 2 produced a different kind of headline: incumbent Republican Rep. Cliff Bentz won with 80% of the vote, with an estimated 83% of the votes counted. On the Democratic side, Chris Beck won with 34.9% of the vote, with an estimated 85% of the votes counted.
In District 3, Republican Loran Ayles won an uncontested race. Incumbent Democratic Rep. Maxine Dexter won with 90% of the vote, with an estimated 64% of the votes counted.
District 4 paired a strong Republican finish with a narrower Democratic one. Monique DeSpain, the Republican nominee, won with 86.7% of the vote, with an estimated 79% of the votes counted. Incumbent Democratic Rep. Val Hoyle won with 77.4% of the vote, with an estimated 76% of the votes counted.
District 5 brought a competitive gap: Republican Patti Adair won with 60% of the vote, with an estimated 68% of the votes counted, while incumbent Democrat Rep. Janelle S. Bynum won with 83.5% of the votes, with an estimated 67% of the votes counted.
In District 6, both parties chose candidates in uncontested races. Republican David Russ won uncontested, while incumbent Democratic Rep. Andrea Salinas also won uncontested.
Oregon Senate results
Oregon is electing one of its two U.S. Senators in the midterms. Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley will look to defend his seat, which he has held since 2009. Sen. Ron Wyden does not face reelection until 2028.
Oregon gubernatorial results
The gubernatorial contest is set for a November showdown between Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Christine Drazan.
The GOP nomination went to Drazan after she bested four others, according to Ballotpedia. She won with 42.3% of the votes, with an estimated 73% of the votes counted.
Kotek won her party’s nomination as the incumbent, capturing 84.3% of the votes, with an estimated 70% of the votes counted.
At this stage. the numbers from May 19 already tell a clear story about momentum heading into the general election: Democrats won multiple House nominations with large margins. while Republicans secured their share of nominees across districts and took the lead in selecting Drazan for the governor’s race.
Oregon primary results U.S. House primaries U.S. Senate primaries governor primary Tina Kotek Christine Drazan Jeff Merkley Ron Wyden