Recent updates from the Marion County Clerk’s office have confirmed that Representative Tracy Cramer, a Republican from Gervais, is currently losing her reelection campaign for House District 22. Cramer, who previously secured the seat in 2022 with a victory over Democrat Anthony Medina by a margin of 542 votes, faces a competitive challenge from Lesly Muñoz, a labor organizer and newcomer to electoral politics. District 22, covering areas like Woodburn, north Salem, Gervais, Brooks, and Labish Village, has a history of being represented by Democrats for the last 18 years prior to Cramer’s term. The implications of this race are significant, as it could affect the balance of power within the Oregon legislature.
In the unfolding results of the election, Cramer was trailing by just one vote on Thursday night, but by 5 p.m. on Friday, the count indicated that she was behind by 34 votes. If the vote margin remains within 39 or 40 votes after all ballots are counted, an automatic recount will be mandated, according to state regulations. Marion County Clerk Bill Burgess noted that such a recount typically takes one to two days to complete, and would occur only after the votes are certified and directions given by the Oregon Secretary of State.
The stakes are particularly high in this race. Should Muñoz maintain her lead and successfully flip House District 22 from Republican to Democrat, the Democratic party would secure 36 out of 60 seats in the Oregon House for the upcoming 2025 legislative session. Additionally, this would grant them a supermajority in both the Oregon Senate and House—a scenario that would enable Democrats to advance tax legislation without requiring any Republican support. Furthermore, recent electoral shifts have seen Democrats regain control of a Senate district in Bend, bringing their total to 18 Senate seats.
As the campaign has progressed, Cramer has expressed concerns over electoral integrity, announcing that her team has retained legal counsel to guarantee compliance with election laws and ensure that every valid vote is counted. She emphasized the significance of the election, warning that the potential changes driven by a Democratic supermajority could lead to tax increases that would impact her community directly. Cramer’s remarks also referenced broader concerns about the accuracy of voter registration, specifically addressing an incident involving the erroneous registration of over 1,500 noncitizens by the Oregon DMV. Although ten of the incorrectly registered individuals had a voting history, Cramer argued that safeguards against such issues are necessary to protect the election’s integrity.
On Friday, the Clerk’s office reported that 21,053 ballots had been counted, representing 55.75% of the total 37,764 registered voters in District 22. Ahead of the final results, there were still about 809 legal ballots prepared for counting and 733 others that had been received but were not accepted due to signature verification issues. Voters were reminded to rectify any discrepancies in their signatures by an upcoming deadline, demonstrating the importance of ensuring every vote counts in such a tenuous electoral climate. The final certification of votes is set to be completed by December 2, solidifying the outcome of this closely watched race.
As the situation develops, the implications of the election result extend beyond just Cramer and Muñoz. The potential for a Democratic supermajority could reshape legislative priorities and decisions in Oregon, impacting tax policy and other significant issues. For Cramer, the loss would mark a significant political shift, while a win for Muñoz would fortify Democratic presence in a historically contentious political landscape. Overall, this race serves as a critical barometer of the shifting tide in Oregon politics and highlights the growing influence of grassroots movements and labor organizations in electoral contests. Dianne Lugo is covering this story and invites interested readers to reach out for further insights or follow her updates on X, formerly known as Twitter.