REDMOND, OR -- All of Oregon’s Representatives in Congress easily retained their seats. In the Second Congressional District, Republican Greg Walden defeated Democrat Jamie McLeod-Skinner, 56% to 39%.

 
In the state Legislature, Democrats held on to their super-majority in the Senate by just one seat, with one race still too close to call. In the House, Democrats easily maintain their super-majority, despite Republican wins in all of Central Oregon's House districts. In District 54, Cheri Helt replaces Knute Buehler, who lost his bid for Governor; and Mike McLane (R-Powell Butte) holds on to his District 55 seat. He's served as House Republican Leader since 2012. 

Redmond realtor Jack Zika (pictured) defeated Democrat Eileen Kiely, in District 53, by a 13% margin. Zika says Democrat Eileen Kiely called him to concede. "She said congratulations," he tells KBND News, "She said that she was happy that we had the race we did and didn't go negative and that we did give an example of how races should be ran." Zika says he's honored for the chance to serve. And, after his close primary race where he won by a mere two votes, he's also pleased to have a definitive victory. Zika replaces the retiring Gene Whisnant. He plans to work on affordable housing, education, and PERS reform. "I will lean on Gene Whisnant as a mentor," he says, "But I do have issues that I want to take on myself. I think I do have a leg up with him, but also I think there's other things that I can work on, too."