2006 Oregon Primary election results

Gov. Ted Kulongoski was the winner in the Democratic primary election for governor. At press time, he had 55 percent of the vote against challengers Jim Hill and Peter Sorenson.

He will face Republican challenger Ron Saxton, an anti-public employee candidate who defeated Kevin Mannix by an unofficial margin of 43 percent to 30 percent in the Republican primary. In 2002, Mannix defeated Saxton in the primary, but then was defeated narrowly by Kulongoski in the general election.

A third candidate, Ben Westlund of Bend, Oregon, is still gathering signatures to qualify for the November general election as a independent.

In other statewide races, labor-endorsed Gene Hallman finished third in a three-person race for an open seat on the Oregon Supreme Court. Former labor commissioner Jack Roberts will be in a runoff with Virginia Linder in November.

Labor-endorsed Susan Castillo was easily re-elected superintendent of public instruction.

Statewide turnout in the mail ballot election was at a near-record low of only 35 percent.

In contested primary races for the Legislature, State Rep. Diane Rosenbaum won her race in House District 42, and Tina Kotek won her election in District 44. Both are Democrats. Rosenbaum, a member of Communications Workers of America, doesn’t have an opponent in the general election.

Democrat Mary Botkin, a lobbyist for Oregon Council 75 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, fell short in a five-person race in House District 46. The winner was Ben Cannon.

The following are unofficial reports of labor-endorsed candidates either winning outright in the primary or moving on for a November runoff:

Diane Linn was unseated as the chair of the Board of County Commissioners for Multnomah County by newcomer Ted Wheeler. The margin of victory was 69.64 percent to 23.13 percent. Both candidates campaigned with labor endorsements.

State Rep. Gary Hansen, a member of Plumbers and Fitters Local 290, lost in his bid for an open seat on the Multnomah County Commission. Jeff Cogan and Lew Frederick were the top vote-getters and will face off in November.

State Rep. Steve March, a member of the American Federation of Teachers, lost to Lavonne Griffin-Valade in their race for Multnomah County auditor.

Dan Saltzman was re-elected to the Portland City Council. He was opposed by Amanda Fritz, a member of the Oregon Nurses Association. Both candidates had support from various unions.

Labor-endorsed City Commissioner Erik Sten out-polled Ginny Burdick and five other challengers for re-election to the Portland City Council. Sten took 50.52 percent of the vote to barely avoid a runoff.

In Washington County, Kevin Luby was defeated in his race for Circuit Court judge. He was endorsed by the Northwest Oregon Labor Council.