By WillametteLive Editors
from WillametteLive, Section News
Posted on Tue Nov 04, 2008 at 08:13:05 PM PDT
Secretary of State
The Secretary of State has one of the most important jobs in the state (overseeing elections) but is also one of the less glamorous elected positions. Democrat Bill Bradbury stepped down from the seat, giving both parties ample chance to seek their claim. Democrat Kate Brown hopes to bring her experience from the State Senate to the seat. Brown has enjoyed numerous newspaper endorsements, including Salem Monthly, and the endorsement of The Independent Party of Oregon and Working Families Party of Oregon. Her Republican opponent Rick Dancer, a veteran newscaster and activist, hopes to turn the position into a non-partisan office.
Updated at 9:02 p.m.
Secretary of State:
Kate Brown 52%
Rick Dancer 45%
Seth Woolley 4%
State Treasurer
Allen Alley received the Republican nod for this race. Alley is the Chairman of the Board for Pixelworks, a semiconductor company. He has also worked in conjunction with numerous Govenor administrations, including sitting Govenor Ted Kulongoski. Ben Westlund, Alley's Democrat opponent, brings a background in the Oregon legislature that he thinks will help him in making this office more efficient.
Updated at 9:02 p.m.
Ben Westlund 51%
Allen Alley 45%
Michael Marsh 4%
Attorney General
Democrat John Kroger is the clear favorite in this race. In fact, he picked up both major party nominations. Kroger, who was a member of the prosecution team in the Enron scandal, faces relatively no competition in this race, despite the many third party opponents.
John Kroger has been projected by KATU news as the winner of this position.