Politics

Two Congressional races are getting attention in Oregon's primary election Tuesday. The newly created 6th District is one of the most expensive Democratic House primaries in the U.S. and features a political newcomer backed by a cryptocurrency billionaire against a longtime Hispanic state lawmaker. In the 5th District, Democratic incumbent Rep. Kurt Schrader faces a stiff challenge from the progressive wing of his party as he seeks an eighth term in a dramatically redrawn district. Voter turnout in the vote-by-mail state is low and problems with ballots in a county that includes many 5th District voters could delay election results.

It’s been 35 years since there was a GOP governor in Oregon, however there are 19 Republican candidate hopefuls on this year’s primary ballot. Although political experts say this year, the Republican party may have a rare opportunity to earn the state’s highest elected position. Oregonians are frustrated with the state of the state under Democratic leadership, a possible split in votes among the majority party as unaffiliated candidate Betsy Johnson makes a gubernatorial run in the fall and the noticeable absence of an incumbent this election as Gov. Kate Brown is term-limited.

Washington Democrats want the state to be one of the first five states to host an early presidential primary in 2024. A letter of intent was sent Thursday to the Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee, signed by party chair Tina Podlodowski, state Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins and state Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig. The DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee oversees the application process and recommends a slate of proposed states for the full DNC’s approval, with a decision made sometime by early August.