PORTLAND, Ore. (KGW) -- Oregon's 2012 election has determined control of the state House and Senate, the new Portland mayor and a state Cannabis Tax Act as well as other key races.
Incumbents Congressman Earl Blumenaeur, Representative Greg Waldon and State Treasurer Ted Wheeler were all voted into another term. Secretary of State Kate Brown and Suzanne Bonamici won their first full terms.
Voters rejected proposals for a private casino in Wood Village and also voted down the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act.
Voters did approve an initiative to dedicate the Corporate Kicker refund to school funding but the next Oregon legislature is still likely to confront another tight budget, rising public pension costs and tense decisions about the future of criminal sentences.
Political Analyst Len Bergstein said Republicans lost opportunities to gain ground in Oregon. "The headline is 'Oregon stays blue'," said Berstein. He also said voters rejected most spending measures, reflecting an ongoing concern for Oregon's economic situation.
When election results started streaming in at 8 PM, voter turnout had climbed past 72 percent, according to unofficial voter returns released by the Oregon Secretary of State's office.
Courtesy KGW.com
