Other post-election surprises and upsets

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.

2.  Both Kate Brown and Ben Westlund had much closer races than Democrats anticipated.  Clearly the Obama coattails did not extend long enough for these two Democrats as both are barely above the 50% mark two days after voters cast their ballots.  Those watching the race for Secretary of State saw Brown wind down her campaign activities after a tough four-way primary battle, assuming a general election victory was all but inevitable.  Her GOP opponent Rick Dancer took advantage of Brown's assumptions and ran a stealth campaign, garnering support from those who fear a lopsided government in Salem come January.  As for Westlund, he ran a vigorous campaign but was nabbed by Republican opponent Allen Alley for drug use and a DUI conviction in the later days of the campaign.  Although Alley lagged behind in fundraising and self-funding a good portion of his campaign, he still had appeal to more moderates and independents than his predecessor Republican candidates.

3.  Oregon House Democrats did not obtain more than 36 seats.  Majority Leader and soon-to-be Speaker of the House Dave Hunt had great plans in mind with a possible 40-seat majority in the Oregon State House.  But that did not happen.  The Democratic blue wave won Hunt enough seats to garner a tax-raising supermajority, but the wave did not extend to a few key targeted races. 

Republican Matt Wingard was able to squeak out a victory against Democrat Jessica Adamson despite being outspent nearly four to one and Wingard's conviction for beating his seven-year-old son with a screwdriver.  

Hunt had his eye on getting his close friend and Democrat Toby Forsberg elected in Oregon City, however, Republican Clackamas County Commissioner Bill Kennemer is leading by 200 votes with nearly all ballots counted.  No victor has been declared, but it doesn't look good for Forsberg.  Perhaps there is a senate seat open somewhere for Forsberg.

Republican State Representative Scott Bruun was able to hold onto his West Linn seat despite allegations of being pro-life even in cases of rape and incest by Democrat challenger Michele Eberle.  This was a tough fight for Democrats, but they gave it all they had.

Clackamas Democrat Brent Barton eventually became a saving grace for Hunt's caucus as he beat incumbent Republican Linda Flores, a Deputy House Republican Whip, in a traditionally conservative district.  Oregon lobbyists mistakenly put this race at the bottom of their target list with conventional thinking that Flores would coast to her re-election.  Not so.  And Barton became the 36th Democrat to bring the highly coveted supermajority to the Democratic caucus.