REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Republican gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan met with local business leaders and workers during a campaign stop in Redmond on Wednesday. The event lasted nearly 2 hours as Drazan spoke directly with Central Oregon community members. The gathering covered a range of statewide issues, including education, the business climate and voting. Drazan
Continue ReadingBEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — KTVZ News will host a LIVE debate featuring the Democrat and Republican candidates for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District on Wednesday, October 14, at 6:00 p.m. The one-hour debate will air LIVE on KTVZ-TV and stream LIVE across KTVZ News’ digital platforms as part of the station’s Decision 2026 election coverage. Participating
Continue ReadingBEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — According to the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office, IP-28 – also known as Initiative Petition 28, failed to gather enough signatures to appear on ballots in November.The petition would have made hunting, fishing and slaughtering of livestock a crime in Oregon.Oregon Governor Tina Kotek’s office provided this statement concerning the issue:
Continue ReadingBy: Jamie ParfittPORTLAND, Ore. — A newly released phone survey of Oregon voters suggests that the 2026 gubernatorial race is shaping up to be a competitive one, with Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan even boasting a slight lead — albeit one within the margin of error. The poll from research firm Public Opinion Strategies gave Drazan a
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new proposal in Deschutes County seeks to change how voters elect county commissioners, potentially introducing ranked-choice voting to future races. The initiative is currently in the signature-gathering stage and aims to decide elections on a single ballot. Current system and proposed change If approved, the measure would replace the current
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend City Councilor Ariel Méndez launched his re-election campaign today, June 29th, 2026, for position 5 on the Bend City Council. Méndez is seeking a second term to continue his work towards a safer and more connected future for Bend, Oregon. Méndez has served on the City Council since 2023, representing
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bobbi Cummiskey’s campaign for Bend City Council Seat Six has received endorsements from outgoing Councilor Mike Riley and commissioner-elect Jamie Collins of Deschutes County. Councilor Riley currently holds the City Council seat Cummiskey is seeking. Commissioner-elect Collins is set to serve Deschutes County. Cummiskey’s campaign focuses on responsible growth, better transit,
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Tina for Oregon campaign today challenged Sen. Christine Drazan to three 60-minute televised debates in Portland, Eugene and Medford. Drazan is again seeking Oregon’s highest office after facing Kotek in the 2022 governor’s race. Shortly after Oregon Governor Tina Kotek challenged Drazan to three debates before the November election, Drazan
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The “Let Us Paddle” movement is working to place a petition on the ballot in Oregon to remove new permit requirements for paddleboards and kayaks. These regulations, enacted through House Bill 2982 during the 2025 long session, increased fees and broadened the types of vessels needing permits on Oregon waterways. Details
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTVZ) — After winning the Republican primary in Oregon’s Second Congressional District, Cliff Bentz is now turning his full attention to the general election this fall. Bentz said the primary victory reflects strong support from voters across the district and gives him a mandate to keep pushing the issues that matter most in
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Jamie Collins will assume the role of Deschutes County Commissioner from Position One, taking over from Tony DeBone in approximately seven months. Collins secured the position with more than 55% of the vote in the recent election. The transition marks a change of guard on the Deschutes County Commission after DeBone
Continue ReadingBEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Voters across Central Oregon participated in a busy election season, with results determining various county commissioner positions, primary nominations for statewide offices and the failure of several measures. While some races concluded with clear winners, others in Deschutes and Crook Counties are headed for November runoffs. Deschutes and Jefferson County Results
Continue ReadingUse our interactive election results map HERE. Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison tells KTVZ News a batch of counted votes is set to be released around midnight. He says voter turnout will be north of 40%, historically high for a primary election. 10:36 pm: Jamie Collins leads incumbent Tony Debone by about 8,000 votes. 10:36
Continue ReadingSALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read is encouraging voters to return their completed ballots by 8:00 p.m. tonight for the May statewide election. Voters can utilize official ballot drop boxes, local post offices for manual postmarks, or county elections offices to submit their ballots. The Secretary of State’s Office has also
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — With just days until Oregon’s May 19 primary election, voter turnout remains modest statewide, prompting renewed reminders for residents across Central Oregon to return their ballots on time. According to the Oregon Capital Chronicle, election officials had received about 357,000 ballots as of Tuesday, roughly 12% of the 3.1 million sent
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read is reminding voters that today marks the final recommended day to return ballots by mail for the May 19 statewide election. Voters are now encouraged to use official ballot drop boxes to ensure their vote is counted. This recommendation comes one week before Election Day
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The hotly contested Oregon Republican gubernatorial race is heating up as candidates approach the May 19 primary. Education has emerged as a defining issue in the campaign, with less than a week remaining until voters head to the polls. Republican gubernatorial candidates are currently in crunch time, traveling across Oregon to
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At KTVZ News, our mission is to deliver accurate, transparent and trustworthy reporting that helps Central Oregon stay engaged and informed in the democratic process.
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SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Voters in Central Oregon will soon decide on a proposed fire levy that leaders say is critical to maintaining emergency response–especially in the wake of last year’s Flat Fire. The Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District is asking voters to approve a higher levy, but officials say the need has been building for years. The measure would replace
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