Michele Eberle

The defeat of two-term incumbent Republican Gordon Smith by Democrat Jeff Merkley is probably the biggest shocker to all political gawkers around the state, however, there some other races that produced some unexpected results.  Here's a quick rundown.

1.  Kurt Schrader is held below 55%.  A win for fifth congressional Democrat Kurt Schrader was inevitable, but his margin of victory was not quite what many anticipated.  Schrader faced Republican Mike Erickson who had been accused of flipping his position on abortion when convenient, segregating a school dance back in his days as a student at Portland State University, falsifying endorsements for prior campaigns, ignoring pamphlet distribution rules at county fairs and wining and dining himself on a trip to Cuba which his still refers to as "humanitarian."  The fact that Schrader stayed below the big win viability line of 55% means there remains some hope of GOP solidarity in this district and he could face a more credible and challenging opponent in two years.

With the exception of the U.S Senate race, the talk in Oregon this election cycle has centered on just how big the Democrats will win.

The story is the same on the State House level. The Dem’s currently have a 31-29 advantage in the House, but on Tuesday they are hoping to pick up five seats, and the much coveted State House “super-majority” status.

Rep. Scott Bruun (R-West Linn) filed suit Friday against his campaign rival Michele Eberle (D-West Linn) and the Democratic political action committee FuturePAC for what he says are false mailers directed at him, according to a release from the campaign.

The race for the HD-37 seat between Rep. Scott Brunn (R-West Linn) and Michele Eberle (D-West Linn) has taken on a nasty tone, according to a report in Thursday’s West Linn Tidings.

FuturePAC head Michele Rossolo said Thursday that the Democratic political action committee has no plans on retracting statements made in recent mailers regarding Rep. Scott Brunn's (R-West Linn) position on abortion.

Brunn had requested Thursday that FuturePAC retract statements made on mailers it sent to voters in House District 37 which said Brunn was against abortion in the instance of rape or incest and when a mother's life was in danger.

"The facts absolutely back up everything we need to know," Rossolo said.

State Rep. Scott Brunn (R-West Linn) demanded Thursday that State Rep. candidate Michele Eberle (D-West Linn) and FuturePAC retract statements made in mailers that were sent to residents in HD-37.