Low blows cited in Oregon’s hottest election race

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — With a Republican threatening to take a statewide office for the first time in many years in Oregon, the battle for secretary of state has become the hottest race.

Brad Avakian, Democratic candidate for the second-highest office in Oregon, is running ads saying his GOP rival Dennis Richardson is “extreme like Trump.”

Meanwhile, Richardson has been racking up endorsements from numerous newspapers and even from two prominent members of Avakian’s own party.

Oregon Republicans haven’t won any statewide election in Oregon in over a decade, but — if polls are to be believed — Richardson has a good shot at becoming secretary of state.

The secretary of state is first in line to succeed the governor and is the auditor of public accounts, the chief elections officer, and the administrator of public records.