Challenger John Wilson is leading incumbent Pat Malone in the race for Benton County Commissioner, 4,857 to 4,641, or 51.07% to 48.80%.
Wilson, currently an Adair Village City Councilor and Benton County Planning Commission member, filed to run against Malone after he voted to approve an expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill. Public perception has been that Malone and Wilson are otherwise similar in their views and approaches. Malone is in his second term as a Benton County Commissioner.
Tonight’s initial results are unofficial but if they hold, John Wilson will be the Democratic nominee come November. No Republican has filed to run. Minor party or unaffiliated candidates could still step forward to run against Malone in November’s general election.
Benton County Circuit Judge
With Benton County Circuit Court Judge Joan Demarest retiring, three candidates filed for this nonpartisan seat. If neither of the three attains 50% plus one now, the top two would faceoff in November’s general election. At present, it appears that may not be necessary.
Corvallis attorney Yema Measho is leading second place Mike Flinn, 9,009 to 4,299, or 55.49% to 26.48%. Third place Joseph Elwood has 2,875 votes; that’s 17.71%.
Measho has received wide praise from fellow attorneys, she is an immigration lawyer with more than 15 years of experience. Many see her experience with immigration law as especially relevant at the moment. Like the judge currently in the seat, Measho seeks to build recovery and treatment into the system.
Flinn has seen both support and backlash. He has 30 years of experience as a lawyer and has been both a prosecutor and defense attorney. The Benton County Democratic Party endorsed him, and he does have some – though not complete – support within the legal community. He is seen as highly competent. But by some local lawyers and sexual assault survivors, Flinn is seen as not being trauma informed, and at times, egregiously dismissive and even aggressive toward survivors.
Most of the attorneys we spoke with didn’t know much about Ellwood, often saying they simply hadn’t had a case that involved him.
City of Corvallis Charter Amendments
It appears all four City of Corvallis Charter Amendments will pass. At present, they are all passing with 79% or better voting in favor of each.
As further results come in, we’ll keep you posted.
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