Thursday, November 08, 2012

2012 ballot: results


Whew!  Another election in the bag.  Here's how it went from my perspective:

US President:  Barack Obama, Democrat

The national ground game unleashed by the Democrats and the vileness and ignorance of the Republicans propelled President Obama to his second term.  The President's victory was bigger and more convincing than the pre-election polls suggested.  He won at least 8 of the 10 battleground states (Florida is still undecided).  And he won the popular vote by about 3 million votes, denying Republicans their yearned-for outrage.


Representative in Congress, 3rd District:  Earl Blumenauer, Democrat

Earl won.  No surprise.

Secretary of State:  Kate Brown, Democrat

Kate Brown beat Republican Knute Buelher extending the 20 year losing streak of Republicans for state-wide office in Oregon.  This state is about as blue as they get.

.
Treasurer:  Ted Wheeler

Wheeler won easily.
Attorney General:  Ellen Rosenblum, Democrat

Not my favorite candidate, but acceptable.  Let's see how she does...


State Representative, 42nd District:  Jules Kopel Bailey

Jules ran unopposed.  He's a good fit for this district.





Labor Commissioner:  Brad Avakian

Six-point win for Mr. Avakian. 







Supreme Court, Position 3:  Richard Baldwin

Soon-to-be-justice Baldwin won a close race against Nena Cook.



Court of Appeals, Position 6: James Egan

I voted for Tim Volpert. Can't win 'em all, I guess.



Portland Mayor:  Charlie Hales

Charlie won by over 30 points.  Fast-talking Jefferson Smith got a taste of humble pie.  Charlie's election means we will have a seasoned and experienced mayor.  That's good.  We've got problems that need addressing.  And I don't think Jefferson is finished.  He'll be back.





City Commissioner Pos 1:  Amanda Fritz

Amanda won despite an aggressive campaign to defeat her.



East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, Director at Large:  Rick Till

Rick Till kept his position.




 




East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, Director, Zone 1:  Bob Sallinger

Congratulations to Bob Sallinger.  He ran unopposed.





Measures
  • Measure 77 Revision to responses to catastrophic disasters

    Passed. 

  • Measure 78 Changes terminology in the state Constitution for the three state government branches

    Passed.

  • Measure 79 Would ban real estate transfer taxes

    Passed.  Bummer.  Advocates for this measure ran effective political ads claiming that, if this measure failed, Oregonians would see an increase in their property taxes.  It was misleading, but it worked.  Ah, well.

  • Measure 80 Would create a cannabis commission to regulate the cultivation and sale of cannabis.

    Failed.  Bummer.  I had hoped to torch a celebratory spliff when this measure passed.  But Oregonians rejected it.  So, being the soul of law-abiding honor, I dutifully stowed the spliff in my freezer against the day when Oregon will see the error of its ways.  (Cough, cough.)

  • Measure 81 Bans Columbia River commercial salmon fishing with gillnets by non-tribal persons, allows seine nets instead.

    Failed.  The task now falls to Governor Kitzhaber and concerned parties to implement an alternative plan.   

  • Measure 82  Authorizes establishment of privately-owned casinos.

    Failed.  Miserably.  Oregonians aren't ready to turn the state into a giant casino.

  • Measure 83 Authorizes Multnomah County casino

    Failed.  See above.

  • Measure 84  Phases out estate and inheritance taxes.

    Failed.  Oregonians vote not to exempt the plutocrats from civic responsibility.

  • Measure 85 Allocates corporate income/excise tax "kicker" refund to additionally fund K through 12 public education

    Passed.  Good news for public schools.
County measures
  • 26-143 Forms library district to fund libraries 

    Passed.  Stable funding for libraries!

  • 26-144 Portland public school bonds 

    Yes.  Money for schools. 

  • 26-145 Changes provisions for Fire/Police disability retirement system 

    Passed.

  • 26-146 Restores school arts and music education through limited tax 

    Passed.  Good news.  Arts and music are important elements to a well-rounded education.
This was a good election for Democrats, both state-wide and nationally.  Republicans, on the other hand...  Get ready for the GOP blood-letting.  Fun times!

1 comment:

Jancal40 said...

The GOP did themselves in.  I don't understand why most of their conversations centered around vaginas.  Seriously, there are so many more important issues.  It just pisses me off that they think they have a right to be the moral compass of the nation.  Politics and religion don't mix.