Portland Democrat’s loss set to shift Senate balance

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Among the results in Tuesday’s primary election, one outcome in a Portland-area district is set to shift power leftward in the state Senate.

Former state Rep. Shemia Fagan beat incumbent Sen. Rod Monroe for the Democratic nomination in the 24th District. And no Republican candidate registered in the East Portland district, where GOP voters are outnumbered by Democrats nearly two-to-one, making it all but certain that Fagan will take the seat in the November general election.

Housing – and especially the question of rent control – dominated the fight, reflecting a deeper divide among Democrats. Fagan, who was previously a state representative, said she plans to make the issue a top priority.