Sweet Home’s school bond measure is well ahead in voting results from the May 19 primary election reported at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, as was Sweet Home’s charter amendment measure.
Support for the school bond was 55.94% (2,667 votes) to 44.06% “no” votes (2,101).
Support for the amendments to Sweet Home’s charter, which governs the city’s structure, powers and municipal functions, was 55.72% of votes (1,320) to 44.28% (1,049) in opposition.
In the Republican race for the state Senate District 6 nomination for the Nov. 3 election, Jami Cate is locked in a tight race with Jack Tibbetts.
Tibbetts, a winery owner from the Cottage Grove area, led Cate, who gave up her House District 11 seat to run for the Senate, 48.29% (8,843 votes) to 47.40% (8,326), with Nicole De Graff of Mohawk third with 708 votes (4.03%).
In the Republican race for the House District 11 seat, now occupied by Cate, Lebanon Mayor Ken Jackola had a significant lead over Sweet Home Councilwoman Angelita Sanchez, 56.99% (6,263 votes) to 42.72% (4,695).
Other results as of noon Wednesday:
A total of 83.34% of Oregon voters opposed Measure 120, which would have increased gas taxes and vehicle fees to raise money for the cash-strapped Oregon Department of Transportation. Supporting votes numbered 155,893, with 780,032 “no” votes.
The passage of the referendum overturns taxes and fees imposed by House Bill 3991, passed by the Legislature in a special session called by Gov. Tina Kotek immediately before Labor Day last year and signed into law by her on Nov. 9. Those included: a 6-cent gas tax increase, an increase to the electrical vehicle surcharge, a pay-by-mile fee program for electric and high-efficiency vehicles, and DMV vehicle registration fee increases.
In the Republican race for governor, Christine Drazan had 41.9% of the vote, over Ed Diehl (32.76%) and Chris Dudley (16.23%) and 12 other candidates who drew votes.
In the Republican race to face off with incumbent U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, who was a shoe-in (93.3% of votes) in the Democratic race, state Sen. David Brock Smith of Sandy (29.79%) led Jo Rae Perkins of Albany (27.05%, 79,797) and businessman Brent Barker of Beaverton (23.15%, 68,287) in a field of seven candidates.
In the Republican race to face incumbent Rep. Janelle Bynum, who was well ahead of Democratic challenger Zeva Rosenbaum of Salem with 83.31% of the vote, Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair led Jonathan Lockwood of Lebanon with 60.23% of the vote.
More votes are likely in coming days as absentee or mail-in ballots arrive at the County Elections Office. Final election results are certified 28 days following the election.