Oregon Democrats Secure Supermajority with Narrow House Win
By Julia Shumway, Oregon Capital Chronicle
In a significant electoral development, Oregon Democrats have reportedly secured a supermajority in both the state House and Senate following a tight victory in a rural Woodburn-based House seat. The pivotal win was confirmed late Tuesday, following the deadline for voters to rectify any issues with their ballot signatures.
Democratic candidate Lesly Muñoz, a labor organizer from Woodburn, has narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Tracy Cramer by just 161 votes in the competitive 22nd House District, which saw over 20,800 votes cast. This victory not only marks the reclaiming of a seat lost two years prior but also provides House Democrats the crucial three-fifths majority necessary to increase or implement new taxes without Republican support. This supermajority is particularly significant as lawmakers prepare to address a multi-billion-dollar transportation funding package in the upcoming 2025 legislative session.
Muñoz, expressing her gratitude, stated, “Farmworkers need a seat at the table in our state legislature.” She emphasized the importance of representing farmworkers, noting their recent victory in securing overtime protections akin to those enjoyed by other workers in the state.
Initially trailing in the results published on November 5, Muñoz gained momentum as Marion County—home to Oregon’s capital—processed additional ballots, which included a notably high number of write-in votes. County clerk Bill Burgess indicated that election staff had been carefully monitoring the ballot counting, with Cramer’s campaign inquiring about a potential recount, as the margin of victory is less than the threshold for an automatic recount.
As the state progresses towards significant legislative decisions, the implications of this election could resonate profoundly in Oregon’s governance and policy direction.
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