Decision 2024: LIVE Election Blog
Rep. Clifford Bentz issues statement on victory: 2:09 PM
Cliff Bentz, Congressman for Oregon CD-2, Is Re-Elected to A Third Term in Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C.— On Election Day, November 5th, Congressman Cliff Bentz won his third term in Congress, winning Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Bentz defeated Democrat candidate Dan Ruby.
“Having the opportunity again to represent the people of Oregon’s Second Congressional District is one of the greatest honors of my life. I am truly privileged to be entrusted with this responsibility,” said Bentz. “I will continue the fight in Congress to protect our rural communities and to uphold their values of respect, perseverance, responsibility, and growth.”
Bentz, a former State Representative, State Senator, and attorney from Ontario, has championed policies during his time in Congress that prioritize the agricultural interests, natural resources, and local economies of Oregon’s Second Congressional District. His re-election reflects strong support for his commitment to rural issues and conservative principles—values he has upheld in Congress.
In the upcoming Congress, Bentz plans to remain focused on protecting the agricultural use of water, reliable power rates, the Snake River dams, livestock production, rural health care and other issues that impact Oregon’s rural communities.
Gov. Kotek statement on election: 1:24 PM
Governor Kotek Issues Statement in
Response to 2024 Election Results
Salem, OR — Today, Governor Kotek issued a statement in response to the results of the 2024 election:
“I know we are all feeling the weight of the moment following the results of yesterday’s national election. Regardless of who you supported in the elections, it is important to affirm that our democracy is strong, and public service professionals across our country worked to ensure a safe, fair election. I particularly want to thank Oregon’s county clerks and their staff and volunteers for their work leading up to Election Day and the work they will do in the coming days.
If you feel the need to exercise your right to freedom of political expression and freedom of assembly, I ask that you do so peacefully and lawfully. I have zero tolerance for actions that threaten and terrorize others. My office is closely monitoring and coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure communities and businesses remain safe and unharmed during these tense times.
Oregonians have shown they will continue to lead with compassion, courage, and conviction – protecting a place where everyone can be themselves, feel welcome, and have equal opportunity to a healthy, prosperous life. We will continue to march forward and stand together as a shield against any attempt to undermine our fundamental freedoms. Our laws, our policies, and our actions will remain a deterrent to any attacks on our values and our democracy.
In the friendships I have fostered across our beautiful state since becoming your governor, I know that good people, in every corner, are working tirelessly to shape a better future for their families and communities. Let us build on this shared resolve and stay committed to collaboration for the common good.
We are strong, resilient, and unified by our shared belief in a brighter tomorrow. And, as your governor, I will always have your back and work hard to uplift and protect our wonderful state, boldly and with perseverance in partnership with other elected and community leaders.”
Chavez-DeRemer statement on close race 11:08 PM
Chavez-DeRemer Statement on Initial Election Results
HAPPY VALLEY, Oregon – Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) released the following statement regarding this evening’s initial election numbers:
“The initial results have shown this is a close race, which we all expected. With over 100,000 left to be counted, I encourage everyone to have patience as counties continue to count their ballots. As we wait, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported my campaign. Oregonians want a strong, independent representative who will get things done to improve our communities. I’m confident that voters appreciate my track record as the second-most bipartisan member of Congress and that will bring us across the finish line,” Chavez-DeRemer said.
Deschutes Commission expansion passing; other measures close: 9:15 pm
Measure 9-173, to expand the Deschutes County Commission from three to five members, was passing handily 65-35%.
The man behind the move, John Heylin, whose Unofficial Logging Company hosted the Democrats Watch Party Tuesday night, told NewsChannel 21’s Isabella Warren, “It’s kind of unbelievable. I was in the kitchen washing dishes and there was a cheer.” He said it shows “some dude with an idea can move an entire county.”
But other ballot measures were closer - some much closer. The Redmond School District bond measure for Redmond High repairs and improvements, among other projects, was nearly tied, passing by just 60 votes out of nearly 25,000 counted.
A Redmond Area Park & Rec District bond was losing 68-32% and the first tax measure proposed by the Deschutes County Soil & Water Conservation District was passing narrowly, 51-49%
Redmond voters were passing an advisory measure to allow marijuana dispensaries, 51-49%, and a tax on marijuana retailers was passing handily, 71-29%. Redmond residents also were passing a two-year extension of a moratorium on psilocybin service centers, 57-43%
FIRST RESULTS IN – BYNUM, VANDER KAMP LEAD 8:25 PM
The first results are in from the big races show Janelle Bynum leading Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, 48-46%, while Deschutes County sheriff’s Captain Kent Vander Kamp is defeating Captain William Bailey, 59-41%.
In other top races, Anthony Broadman has a 60-40% winning margin over Michael Summers in the first round of Oregon Senate District 27 votes, while House District 53 Rep. Emerson Levy is leading Republican challenger Keri Lopez 55-45%
Measure 118, the corporate tax hike for rebates to all Oregonians, is being trounced, 79-21%
And The Associated Press has called Oregon for Kamala Harris.
All statewide and Central Oregon election results online here.
Battlegrounds too close to call: 7:34 PM
NBC News is saying several of the battleground states are too close to call, while Donald Trump has won Ohio and Kamala Harris takes Illinois.
Meanwhile, our Isabella Warren is at the Democrats' watch party and Matthew Draxton is at the Republican get-together. We'll have more from them and our other team members as the local results begin to flow in. Stay tuned, on-air and online! We have you covered.
An interesting, busy night ahead - what we'll be watching: 5:00 PM PT
It's another momentous, interesting election night, and after all the focus on issues and personalities, it all comes down to the numbers.
Of course, much has changed over the past four years.
The polls always close back East first, and the race for the White House sometimes is decided before the West gets its say. This time? Maybe not, after all the twists and turns of a dramatic campaign season.
No big surprises in the first network projections - and NBC News says key state Pennsylvania and several others are too close to call.
Locally, the big races here on the High Desert are reflected by the many TV ads, the fundraising texts, the mailers filling our mailboxes.
We'll be watching closely the most high-profile race, nationally and locally, for the far-flung Fifth Congressional District, the hotly contested, high-spending race between Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Democratic challenger Janelle Bynum.
Many eyes are also focused after the first results come in after 8 p.m. on the contentious race for the next Deschutes County sheriff between Capt. William Bailey, the choice of retiring incumbent Shane Nelson, and Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp.
Several Oregon legislative races also have drawn great attention (and campaign spending).
Turn to us for team coverage of the numbers, and the reactions. We'll keep you posted!
