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By KIRBY
NEUMANN-REA
News Editor
Hood
River
voters contributed to Sen. Barack Obama’s historic presidential
win Tuesday, backing the Democrat 6,229 to 3,240 over Republican
Sen. John McCain, a 64 to 33 percent margin.
Voters also supported Democratic candidate Jeff Merkley in his
successful challenge to Rep. Sen. Gordon Smith, 4,988 to 4,037, a
53 to 43 percent margin.
Merkley claimed victory Thursday. The statewide vote was 793,043
to 750,440, a 49 to 46 percent margin.
Oregonians gave Obama a 973,442 to 692,973 edge.
District 2 Congressman Greg Walden won his bid for re-election,
defeating Democratic challenger Noah Lemas, 5,734 to 3,172 (Hood
River County results). Walden of Hood River was the lone
Republican to win the majority of county votes in a partisan race.
Walden earned 70 percent of the vote statewide.
For State Rep. Dist. 52, Hood River Democrat Suzanne VanOrman
defeated Republican Matt Lindland of Eagle Creek 14,001 to 12,417,
a 52.6 to 47.1 percent margin.
In
Hood
River,
VanOrman won 5,665 to 3,373 (62 to 37 percent).
(The Dist. 52 incumbent, Corbett Republican Patti Smith, declined
to run for re-election.)
In local races,
Hood
River
voters gave the nod to City Council Member Arthur Babitz to be the
next mayor. Babitz defeated Bob Palmer, 1,738 to 852, a 66 to 33
percent edge.
Voters approved the bond measure for improving the
Hood
River
fire hall, 1,438 to 1,336 , or 52 percent to 48 percent (details
at left.).
Property taxes will rise for 13 years by 98 cents per $1,000 of
assessed valuation.
“This is such an historic election.” Babitz said. “It’s exciting
to have had a bit part in it. Twenty years from now people will
remember Barack Obama winning but it will be nice to think back
and remember that I won election that day, too.”
He said he looks forward to encouraging better communication
between city hall and citizens, as well as building on the
improving relations between the city, port and county.
“I think Arthur will do an
excellent job,” Palmer said. “It’ll be a tough job, with
everything taking place in the economy. I wish him well in that,
and offered to help sometimes if he needs me.”
“The people have spoken. This is the day of the younger
generation. I just hope the younger generation can keep things
going the way they should be.”
In Cascade Locks, Brad Lorang took the Cascade Locks mayor race,
defeating Bobby Walker 268 to 196, a 56 to 42 percent win.
Cascade
Locks
City
Council winners were Kevin Benson (217 votes), Lance Masters
(215), and Tiffany Pruit (198), in the eight-candidate race. (In
fourth place was Rob Brostoff, with 146 votes.)
Both Cascade Locks ballot measures passed.
Measure 14-32 passed 241 to 233 (50.84 to 49.16).
Measure 14-22 prevailed by a larger margin, 255 to 221 (53.57 to
465.43 percent).
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