Oregon voters cast ballots Tuesday in a primary election that will determine party nominees for governor, U.S. Senate and U.S. House seats, as well as the fate of Measure 120, a proposal to raise gas taxes and vehicle fees to pay for road and bridge improvements. The contest unfolds under the shadow of national political trends — midterm elections historically punish the incumbent president’s party — and against the backdrop of rising gas prices tied to the ongoing Iran war.
Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek, who is seeking a second term, is among the candidates on the ballot. She faces nearly two dozen challengers in her own party’s primary. Kotek has made President Donald Trump a central foil in her campaign, a strategy that reflects the broader national dynamics at play. Trump is not on the Oregon ballot, but his presidency is a major reference point for candidates in both parties.
Measure 120 would increase vehicle registration fees and the state gas tax to generate revenue for transportation infrastructure. Supporters say the money is needed to address deteriorating roads and bridges across Oregon. The measure goes before voters as gas prices have climbed steadily since the start of the Iran war, adding a sensitive economic dimension to the tax question. The outcome could signal voter sentiment about paying for public works during a period of rising costs.
The primary also includes contests for Oregon’s U.S. Senate seat and all of the state’s U.S. House seats. Candidates from both parties are vying for nominations that will set the field for the November general election. The U.S. Senate race will be closely watched as Democrats seek to maintain their narrow majority in the chamber; Oregon’s seat is currently held by a Democrat who is not up for reelection this year.
National politics cast a long shadow over the primary, according to the Associated Press analysis. Midterm election years have historically led to losses for the incumbent president’s party at the ballot box, a trend that both parties are factoring into their strategies. In Oregon, a reliably Democratic state in presidential elections, the primaries will test whether the national headwinds affect down-ballot races.
Polls are open across Oregon through Tuesday evening. Results will begin to come in after the close of voting, with the first returns expected from the state’s vote-by-mail system that processes ballots ahead of Election Day. The winners of the primary contests will advance to the November general election.