Election Night Reactions: Lane County’s Pulse on Politics

As the dust begins to settle on the November 5 general election, the Lane County Elections office, alongside the Oregon Secretary of State, has started unveiling both statewide and local results. Voters and candidates alike shared their thoughts and sentiments with Eugene Weekly on what was a pivotal night for many.

Voices from the Polls

At the Lane County Elections Office, we found Gary—a voter who chose to keep his last name private due to concerns for his safety. He expressed his enthusiasm for a potential return of Donald Trump to office, stating, “I just don’t think we’re going the right way at the moment. Biden’s a warmonger.”

Gary believes that Trump would only engage in war if absolutely necessary, asserting that Trump is “anti-war” and advocates for bringing soldiers home. His perspective encapsulates a significant segment of the electorate eager for change.

A Night of Celebration and Reflection

The Lane County Republicans hosted an Election Night watch party buzzing with excitement. Darin Harbick, projected to be the representative for Oregon House District 12 with 57.55% of the vote, was present. Harbick, whose son Tyler participated in the January 6 insurrection, declined to engage with media questions, citing concerns over misrepresentation.

Meanwhile, Democratic nominee Michelle Emmons, who garnered 42.31% of the vote, expressed disappointment over low voter turnout among Democrats in her district. “Complacency kills,” she warned, urging those who complain about election results to take action in future elections.

Contrasting Outcomes

In stark contrast, Democratic incumbent Rep. Val Hoyle celebrated her victory in Oregon House District 4 with 57.41% of the votes. “When you stand up for working people, you win elections,” she remarked, focusing on the importance of the results.

Looking Ahead

As of press time, Monique DeSpain, the Republican nominee, had not conceded defeat, emphasizing the importance of counting every legal vote. In her words, “I have a deep respect for the voters.” Presently, she holds 39.07% of the vote.

In other significant races, Dan Rayfield, the Democratic nominee for attorney general, won 53.35% of the votes, stating, “It is a tremendous honor to have the trust of Oregonians.” His Republican opponent, Will Lathrop, received 46.53%. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Steiner, the Democratic nominee for state treasurer, won 49.17% of the vote.

Local Measures and Statewide Trends

On the local front, Measure 20-362, which faced criticism for potential gerrymandering, was overwhelmingly rejected with 74.58% voting “no.” Conversely, Measure 115, aimed at establishing impeachment procedures for elected officials, passed with 62.84% support.

However, statewide measures like Measure 118, which proposed raising corporate taxes for a rebate program, performed poorly, receiving less than 21.20% of the vote. Measure 116, aimed at creating an independent salary committee for elected officials, also failed, garnering only 46.71% support.

For a complete list of every local race, visit the Lane County elections webpage at LaneCounty.org and click on election results.

For statewide results, go to Results.OregonVotes.gov.

What Do You Think?

• Do you believe voter turnout impacts election outcomes significantly?
• Is it time for a new approach to political campaigning in Oregon?
• Should measures like gerrymandering be more strictly regulated?
• Are concerns about election safety justified, or do they lead to unnecessary paranoia?
• How do you feel about the rejection of corporate tax measures in this election?