Oregon Election 2018 Results: Polls Close Updates On The Races

PORTLAND, OR – Election Day has come to a close and Oregonians had a chance to make their voices heard on many issues ranging from do they want to keep Kate Brown as governor, replace her with Knute Buehler to do they want communities to be allowed to mix state money with private money to build affordable housing.

There were city council races, competition for a seat on the Metro Council, and congressional races where the incumbents were expected to cruise to reelection.

Oregonians were also given a chance to amend the state constitution.

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So, who won? Who lost? Will the constitution be changed?

Check back here for results at 8 p.m..

Patch walks you through all the results.

RACE FOR GOVERNOR

This boils down to are people happy with the job that Kate Brown has done. It turns out that they were happy with her. With 72 percent of the vote counted, she was solidly ahead by 80,000 votes. Even though Brown is in her fourth year in office and has won one election, this is the first time that she has been elected to her own term. She took office when John Kitzhaber resigned under a cloud and won a special election to finish her term.

Even though Democrats greatly outnumber Republicans in Oregon, there are large numbers of voters who are either not affiliated with a party or are registered as independents.

That had given Republican challenger Knute Buehler an opening. Apparently, thought it was not enough.

Buehler, a millionaire medical doctor who represents Bend in the state house, actually ran against Brown in 2012 when she defeated him in the race to become Secretary of State.

In the state house, Buehler has tried to cultivate the image of someone willing to reach across the aisle, most notably in his first term when he successfully pushed for the passage of a law to guarantee women access to instant prescriptions for birth control pills.

STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURES

There are five statewide measures being considered by voters:

• 102 – It's the only of the five placed on the ballot by the state legislature and would allow local governments to use bond money to work with private developers to build affordable housing and it was the only that passed – by about a 150,000 vote margin;
• 103 - While proponents of this measure have said it's about keeping Oregon's reputation as an anti-tax state intact, it's actually a measure backed by millions from supermarkets and the American Beverage Association lobbying group – all of whom want to stop Oregon from passing a soda tax. It was defeated by more than 200,000 votes;
• 104 – This measure is backed by the Oregon Association of Realtors. They want to change the state constitution so all changes to things that bring revenue into the state would require a 3/5 majority of both houses. Not only would it affect tax laws but everything from hunting licenses to the gas tax. It was defeated by more than 400,000 votes, a nearly 2-1 margin;
• 105– This measure would repeal the state's sanctuary law, which has been in place since 1987. More than 335,000 people voted against it, send it to defeat;
• 106 – Would change Oregon's long-held status as a pro-choice state and make it so that state money could not be used for an elective abortion for a woman who has an income below a certain level. It was soundly defeated by almost 400,000 votes.

LOCAL MEASURES

Metro's proposal for a bond to help fund affordable housing passed by close to 82,000 votes while two measures in Portland – one limiting campaign contributions and one calling for a fee to help fund clean energy – both received overwhelming support from the voters.

PORTLAND CITY COUNCIL

Regardless of who wins this race, they will make history.

Since the council was formed in 1851, there have only been eight women on the council. There have also only been two people of color – both of whom were men.

Jo Ann Hardesty defeated Loretta Smith and made history.

OREGON COURTS

There are five judicial races – one for the state supreme court, three for the court of appeals, and one for the state tax court – and in all, the incumbent is running unopposed. They all won.

OREGON CONGRESSIOANL RACES

There are five races across the state and, in each one, the incumbent – four Democrats and one Republican – was expected to win, which is exactly what happened.

OREGON LABOR COMMISSIONER

Brad Avakian is vacating the job so there will be a new person – either Val Hoyle or Lou Ogden.

METRO COUNCILOR DISTRICT 2

Christine Lewis and Joe Buck are running to replace Betty Dominguez who was ousted by voters in the primary. As of , 9:20 p.m., it appeared that Lewis was headed to victory, leading 37,560 to 36,608.

MULTNOMAH COUNTY AUDITOR

It appeared, as of 9:15 p.m., that Jennifer McGuirk was headed to an easy victory over Scott Learn, leading by almost 22,000 votes – 106,191 to 84,569.

GRESHAM MAYOR

Shane Bemis won reelection without breaking too much of a sweat, beating back a challenge from Allen Cox 16,506 to 5,656 – a margin of 48 percent..

GRESHAM CITY COUNCIL

Kirk French was leading with 10,823 votes (53 percent) over Eddy Morales who had 9,595 votes (47 percent) and Mario Palmero was leading with 6,349 votes (or 34 percent) for Position Four.

OREGON CITY SCHOOL BOND

It's passed easily, which means that the district will now have $158 million to ease overcrowding, make repairs, and improve security at schools.

OREGON CITY MAYOR

Dan Holladay won reelection, defeating Damon Mabee and Mark Matheson.

OREGON CITY COMMISSION POSITION ONE

Rocky Smith was reelected, defeating Brian Shaw.

OREGON CITY COMMISSION POSITION FOUR

Rachel Smith defeated Mike Mitchell.

.WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Kathryn Harrington defeated Bob Stacey, garnering 77,490 votes to his 53,541 votes.

HILLSBORO CITY COUNCIL

Beach Pace was elected to Ward 1 Position A with 13,122 votes to Eric Muehler's 6,059 and Kyle Allen's 13,131 votes were enough to carry him to victory over John Shepherd in the race for Ward 2, Position A..

Photo via Multnomah County.