Oregon Democrats are celebrating a potential victory in one of this year’s most contested state House races, as Democrat Lesly Munoz currently holds a one-vote lead over incumbent Republican Rep. Tracy Cramer in House District 22. The narrow margin is within the state’s recount threshold, and the outcome may change as hundreds of outstanding ballots are counted and voters cure their ballots with election officials.
If Munoz’s lead holds, Democrats will secure a three-fifths supermajority in both the House and Senate, allowing them to pass legislation, including new tax measures, without needing any Republican support. The race in HD 22 has been closely watched by both parties, as early results favored Cramer but shifted as more ballots were counted.
The district, anchored in Woodburn, is the only majority-minority district in Oregon and has been a key battleground for Democrats hoping to regain a seat. Democrats hold a voter registration advantage in the district, but a high proportion of nonaffiliated voters make it unpredictable. If Munoz’s lead stands, it would give Democrats significant power to advance their agenda in the upcoming legislative session.
Counties have until December 2 to certify election results, so the final outcome in HD 22 may not be known for several weeks. Regardless of the final result, the race highlights the importance of each vote and the potential impact of even a single vote in determining the balance of power in the state legislature.
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