Whew! Another election in the bag. Here's how it went from my perspective:
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.
Earl won. No surprise.
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.
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Wheeler won easily.
Not my favorite candidate, but acceptable. Let's see how she does...
Jules ran unopposed. He's a good fit for this district.
Six-point win for Mr. Avakian.
Soon-to-be-justice Baldwin won a close race against Nena Cook.
I voted for Tim Volpert. Can't win 'em all, I guess.
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.
Amanda won despite an aggressive campaign to defeat her.
Rick Till kept his position.
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.
- 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.
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.
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