Clearly, the Blue Wave came from the Pacific Ocean with the largest swell crashing onto Oregon. And it was extreme with voter turnout thus far higher than 60% – higher than any previous mid-term election in Oregon.

In a close race, Governor Brown was re-elected to serve a second term – the timing of her taking over for Governor Kitzhaber makes this the last four years she can serve. All of Oregon’s Congressional members will return to DC and new BOLI commissioner, Val Hoyle, was a shoo-in after the primary vote.

At the legislature, a supermajority for Democrats soaked all hopes of Republicans to garner more relevance.

Currently 17 Democrats to 13 Republicans in the Senate, that division will move to at least 18 to 12 in 2019 with one race still hanging on final vote counts that may make the Senate 19 to 11.

Democrats in the House caught the biggest wave tentatively increasing their seats by 3 as of 10:00 pm on election night. Currently 35 Democrats and 25 Republicans, 2019 will likely move to 38 to 22.

These numbers mean that no Republicans are needed to approve new taxes or fees or any increases and with the failing of Ballot Measure 104 the number of votes required did NOT increase as conservatives had hoped.

In Portland, Measure 26-201 passed imposing a surcharge on certain retailers to fund clean energy, making Salem take note as it works on statewide cap and trade legislation.

By: Cindy Robert, Rainmakers Government Strategies

NACM CS Oregon Lobbyist – Nov 9, 2018