Scott Swanson
Jami Cate declared victory last week in the primary election for the state House District 17 seat, with a 34-vote lead over her closest competitor, Scott Sword, who says he isn’t conceding yet.
Cate, 33, of Lebanon, had 2,896 votes, 26.64 percent of the 10,871 votes cast in the district, according to the Oregon Secretary of State’s tally of votes on Friday, May 29.
Sword, 61, of Sublimity, had 2,862 (26.33 percent). He said Monday he’s being told by Linn and Marion county officials that they may have updated figures by the end of this week.
The winner will face Democrat Paige Hook of Stayton in November.
“We’re not conceding yet,” Sword said Monday morning. “We’ll see what happens. It’s been incredibly close. We’ve been out gathering signature cards for people who forgot to sign or whose signatures don’t match. I think every vote matters.”
Tim Kirsch of Mill City was third, with 1,708 votes (15.71 percent), followed by Bruce Cuff of Mehama/Lyons (1,413, 13 percent), Susan Coleman of Sweet Home (1,003, 9.23 percent), and Dylan Richards of Sweet Home (951, 8.75 percent) in the Republican primary election for the seat being vacated by Sherrie Sprenger, who is running for the Linn County Commission.
Statewide, a total of 1,320,789 ballots had been received as of Friday, which was 46.42 percent of the registered voters.
In Linn County, 36,433 ballots were cast, which was 39.57 percent of registered voters.
“This has been an incredible primary to be a part of – but also one to watch,” Cate said in a statement Thursday, May 28. “I hope it serves as a reminder that every vote matters, and that our County Clerk’s offices stay busy long after Election Night, ensuring your vote gets counted.
“Despite the close margin, the lion’s share of votes have been counted, and it is time to move forward in the fight for rural Oregon.
“I want to extend a tremendous thank you to all of my family, friends, and voters,” Cate added. “I have continued to be immensely humbled by the outpouring of support I have received in this journey. I am very excited to be one step closer to the honor of representing you in Salem, and look forward to the spirited discussions ahead.”