Dems’ big wins in Portland area contribute to super-majority in the Oregon Senate

Published 10:51 am Wednesday, November 6, 2024

It comes as a surprise to no one who watches politics: Portland and the immediate suburbs are deeply blue. On Tuesday night, of the six Senate races and 13 House races that touch on Portland neighborhoods, Democrats kept or gained every seat they sought.

The wins in the metro area added to a super-majority for Democrats in the 2025 Senate. Such a majority is required for passage of revenue-raising measures.

Enough Oregon House races across the state are still undecided as of Wednesday, Nov. 6, so the size of the Democrats’ majority in that chamber has yet to be determined.

“With upheaval and unreliable leadership returning to Washington D.C., now, more than ever, the Oregon State Legislature must stand up to protect Oregonians’ rights and freedoms,” said Senate Majority Leader Kathleen Taylor, whose District 21 includes portions of Portland. “With the responsibility of holding a super-majority in our chamber, Senate Democrats will do everything in our power to make sure common sense wins out over chaos in our state, and I’m confident that we have elected the right leaders to make that happen.”

Prior to the election, Oregon’s Republican Party had targeted a couple of Democratic senators they deemed “vulnerable.” One was Sen. Chris Gorsek, who represents East Multnomah County. He not only won reelection but improved his margin of victory from his 2020 to 2024 wins.

A Democratic super-majority in the Senate, and a potential one in the House, could come into play if the 2025 Legislature passes a major, statewide package of transportation bills, as is anticipated. With two super-majorities, Democrats would control the conversation on how to pay for all that.

Portland area races

Several Democrats ran unopposed in Tuesday’s election, including two in the Senate: Taylor, District 21, and Khanh Pham, running in District 23 to replace the retiring Sen. Michael Dembrow, who has served in the House and Senate since 2008.

The Portland area’s unopposed races in the House include Daniel Nguyen, District 38; Rob Nosse, District 42; Travis Nelson, District 44; Thuy Tran, District 45; and Andrea Valderrama, District 47.

Democratic incumbents with opponents, who look to keep their seats, include Sens. Kate Lieber, District 14; Rob Wagner, District 19; Lew Frederick, District 22; and Gorsek.

In the House, Democrat April Dobson is leading Wednesday morning with 54% of vote early-tally vote, over Republican challenger Aimee Reiner, with 45%. They’re vying for the District 39 seat vacated by State Rep. Janelle Bynum in her bid to run for Congress. That district is mostly in Clackamas County and along Portland’s edge.

In District 46, Democrat Willy Chotzen has a powerful lead in his effort to replace Khanh Phan, as she moves to the Senate. He leads Republican John Mark Alexander 79% to 14%.

Other House incumbents with clear leads as of Tuesday’s early results include Dacia Grayber, District 28; Shannon Isadore, District 33; Daniel Nguyen, District 38; Mark Gamba, District 41; Tanya Sanchez, District 43, Travis Nelson, District 44; Hoa Nguyen, District 48; and Zach Hudson, District 49.