BEND, OR -- In the first non-partisan race for Deschutes County Commissioner, incumbent Phil Chang garnered 61% of the vote, easily defeating three challengers in preliminary returns. If that lead holds after all ballots are counted, Chang secures another term without facing a runoff in November.
Early results also show three charter-amendments in Redmond easily passing. They would impose term limits for the Mayor and Councilors, move the Mayor to a four-year term and create an anti-nepotism rule for future candidates.
In the race for Crook County Commissioner Position Three - the seat formerly referred to as Judge - incumbent Seth Crawford took an early but slim lead over his two challengers. If those numbers hold, Crawford (44%) and former Commissioner Ken Fahlgren (40%) will likely square off in November. County Clerk Cheryl Seely tells KBND News, as of 11 a.m. Wednesday, about 1300 ballots still need to be counted. If Crawford earns more than 50% of the vote, he would win his seat, outright.
Crook County voters also appear supportive of the Greater Idaho advisory question, in early returns, directing the county to publicly approve of moving Oregon’s border.
In the seven-way race for Jefferson County Commissioner, two candidates emerged as clear frontrunners in early returns. Special Education Teacher Seth Taylor (25%) and CPA Brandie McNamee (26%) appear headed for a runoff in November.
Also in Jefferson County, a measure to dissolve the Madras Aquatic Center Recreation District is narrowly passing, in preliminary results, but the measure to form a new district is failing.
Local bond measures are mixed. While voters appear supportive of money for fire districts, schools are a different story. The so-called “learning levy” for Bend-La Pine Schools is failing. And voters in Crook County, so far, are narrowly defeating their school bond. However, La Pine area voters are supporting the two fire district levies for operations and facilities. And a bond to upgrade equipment and fire stations in Jefferson County is also passing.
In the race for State Senate District 30, former State Rep Mike McLane easily won the GOP primary. In District 28, Dennis Linthicum’s wife Diane will likely take his Senate seat, winning that GOP primary. No Democrats filed for either seat.
