Kotek wins second term as Oregon’s governor and Democrats take control of Congress in Nov. 3 elections

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek won a second term in Tuesday’s election, keeping the governor’s office in Democratic hands for another four years after a closely watched rematch with Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan.

The Associated Press called the race early Wednesday. Kotek had about 52% of the vote, while Drazan had 45%. Nearly 75% of the expected vote had been counted, putting Kotek ahead by nearly 100,000 votes.

Kotek’s win came as Democrats gained control of both the U.S. House and Senate. The party flipped Republican-held Senate seats in states including Texas, Iowa, and North Carolina.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley also won reelection, along with U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, who represents Oregon’s 4th Congressional District.

Additionally, all six Portland City Council incumbents on the ballot were leading in preliminary ranked-choice results. That includes Steve Novick, Tiffany Koyama Lane, and Angelita Morillo in District 3, along with Olivia Clark, Eric Zimmerman, and Mitch Green in District 4.

In the Multnomah County chair race, Shannon Singleton led Julia Brim-Edwards with about 56% to 44% following the latest preliminary ranked-choice tally.

Across the Columbia River, Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez led Republican challenger John Braun with about 55% to 44% in Southwest Washington’s 3rd Congressional District.

That race remained uncalled in OPB’s Wednesday morning results. Vote totals and leads could change as election workers continue counting ballots.