It appears that Republican State Senator Kim Thatcher will be the Republican nominee against an unknown challenger in a race that's too close to call on the Democrat side. The race looks to be an interesting and possibly expensive one for Oregon Secretary of State.

State Senator Mark Hass (D-Beaverton) showed an early, uncommanding lead. Hass has been in the legislature since 2007

State Senator Shemia Fagan (D-Portland) was trailing. She was elected to the Oregon House in 2012 and served two terms as a left-leaning progressive legislator. In 2018 she launched a primary fight against incumbent State Senator Rod Monroe (D-Portland) with housing issues as a backdrop. As an advocate for tenants’ rights, she defeated Monroe, who is also a landlord.

Fagan has drawn criticism from colleagues -- including those in her own party -- for her use and over-dependence on government employee union money. Representative Alyssa Keny-Guyer (D-Portland) remarked to her in a letter, "I have agonized about where to take my profound disappointment in your campaign."

Thatcher (R-Keizer), who has a strong track record during her time in the Legislature as an advocate for accountable government, says, “I believe every Oregonian deserves a state government that is a good steward of YOUR tax dollars….and that every elected official in Oregon must be accountable, transparent, and honest with taxpayers.”

Thatcher’s website boasts a pledge “not use the Secretary of State office to advance a partisan agenda,” which could perhaps be interpreted as a dig at previous Democrat Secretaries of State who have been accused of using the office to advance an agenda.

The Secretary of State race this year has drawn extra focus, because according to Oregon’s Constitution, if the Legislature fails to draw a map for redistricting the congressional and legislative districts, the job falls to the Secretary of State. This work will be done during the 2021 Legislative Session, and voters will vote for the first time as constituents of these districts in 2022.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-05-20 19:32:46

Last Update: 2020-05-28 19:33:03