Statesman Journal from Salem, Oregon • Page A12

Both chambers of the Oregon Legislature are still blue after Election Day, as Democrats icked up at least one seat in oth the House of Representa- ives and the Oregon Senate. A press time, Democrats had won 17 out of 30 seats in the Senate and 35 out of 60 in the House, one more Democrat for each. The race between Sen. Bruce Starr, R-Hillsboro, and Democrat Chuck Riley was still too close to call at press time, but its outcome impact the majority except to potentially increase it. In addition to becoming bluer, the face of the House is going to change next year as about 25 percent of the representatives are new to the Legislature and will take office for the first time in 2015.

results mean that in 2015, Democrats will hold every statewide office. They also represent Oregon in all but one ational office: U.S. Congressman Greg Walden will be the only Republican representing Oregon in Washington, D.C. hat Democratic control is i ncreasingly the status quo in ontemporary Oregon. The state has not had a Republican governor since 1987.

A Republican has served as secretary of state since 1985 or as at- orney general since 1993. Rep ublicans have not controlled he Senate since 2001. The House has been the anomaly. Republicans last had an actual majority in 2005, but hey split the seats 30-30 with SENATE CONTROL HOUSE CONTROL 30 TOTAL 60 TOTAL Too close to call: 1 GANNETT GRAPHIC DEM 17 REP 25 DEM 35 the Democrats in 2011and 2012, giving no one control and re- uiring joint leadership. win, however, eans Democrats will have a majority for four consecutive years: 2013 through 2016.

In spite of the overall effect being the same, the House looks ery different. peaker of the House Tina otek, D-Portland, said the large number of freshmen will present challenges, but overall, an exciting development. ew members come with new ideas and new he said. They will have a learn- i ng curve as they adjust to proc edural rules and understanding how the Legislature works, she said, but on balance, a a good thing. I she is re-elected as speak- she will survey all the new members to match their inter- sts and experience with comm ittee placements.

A nd in the tradition of any institution with freshmen, there is some hazing, Kotek said. Traditionally, the first new member to carry a bill to the ouse floor is grilled with end- ess questions, she said. owever, participate in she said. The Senate is a smaller body, with mostly seasoned lawmak- rs. owever, that one extra rather than the 16 change the way it operates.

That number creates a cush- i on that would guard against a ny swing voters. Previously, if ne Democrat voted with the epublicans, a bill would fail ecause the vote would split 1515. The most notorious swing voter is Rep. Betsy Johnson, D- Scappoose, who votes with the Republican caucus on certain issues. For example, she derailed a gun control bill last year that followed the Newtown and lackamas Town Center shoot- i ngs when she sided with the Rep ublican caucus and refused to upport it.

If Riley beats Starr, the Democrats will go a step further: They will have a supermajority in the Senate that allows them to pass even tax bills without needing a single Republican vote. The House ended up one Democrat shy of a supermajor- ity. The substantial Democrat majorities mean re-elected Gov. John Kitzhaber will be working with his own party for the next two years. Kitzhaber has said in the past that he plans to reform tax code next year.

He even struck a deal with labor and business groups last both sides to keep their hot-button ballot mea- ures off the table in order to preserve a collaborative atmosphere going into 2015. He has also said in the past hat gun control may be worth a nother attempt, and with 17 emocrats in the Senate, opposition will no longer be a deal breaker. In fact, Kitzhaber received a $250,000 donation on Thursday rom Everytown for Gun Safet a gun control group paid for former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Democrats pick up seats in Capitol Freshmen ake up a uarter of ouse in 2015 By Hannah Hoffman Statesman Journal OREGON CAPITOL ASHLEY SMITH STATESMAN JOURNAL The A.H Factor plays during a Marion and Polk County Democrats election night party at the Grand Ballroom on Tuesdayin Salem. ONLINE Read the Statesman Journal online a www.StatesmanJournal.com for a full list of Election Day winners and losers.

ELECTIONSMIDTERM 12A StatesmanJournal.com Senate President Peter Courtney held a comfortable lead over former Marion County Commissioner Patti Milne on Tuesday night, apparently kill- i ng the Republican hope of unseating he longtime Democratic senator. Courtney has won that seat by a sizable margin since he was first elected in 1998. This will be his fifth term in the Senate and the 12th year has served as Senate president. Both candidates ran visible campaigns, but Courtney beat fund- aising by more than $100,000. His campaign drew nearly $500,000, and hers ulled in about $389,000.

oth are seasoned public servants. Courtney served on the Salem City ouncil for six years in the 1970s, and he as a member of the House of Repre- entatives from 1980 to 1984 and later rom 1988 to 1998, years when Republicans largely controlled the House. Milne, for her part, first ran for the Woodburn School Board and later erved in the House from 1993 through 1 same period Courtney held a House seat as well. She left when term limits (now abolished) forced her out and she was elected to the Marion County Board of ommissioners. She resigned to run against Courtney and was replaced by former Rep.

Kevin ameron, R-Salem. (503) 399-6719 or follow at witter.com/HannahKHoffman Courtney rolling past Milne to keep Senate seat By Hannah Hoffman Statesman Journal Peter Courtney Patti Milne SENATE DISTRICT 11 Republican Rep. Kim Thatcher has been promoted to State Senate District 13, despite an October surprise that could have hurt her chance of winning. hatcher has represented House District 25 ince 2004, and seemed poised long ago for an easy victory over Democratic challenger Ryan Howard, who would have become the youngest person in the Senate if elected. She held a very ide lead over Howard Tuesday night.

Her solid reputation came into question last month after an Oregonian story evealed that construction company, KT Contracting, was accused i 2010 of destroying digital evidence in a investigation of contracting fraud. Thatcher was never charged with a rime, and she said in a Statesman Journ al interviewthat crash or des troyed the documents. Still, the judge aid the files were destroyed deliberately and fined company $60,000. Thatcher said Thursday that she was ot worried about the effect the Oregonian story ould have on her campaign. Thatcher said that in her first Senate term, she wants to continue working with local business groups and expanding the transparency webs ite to smaller governments.

Howard, 29, entered politics in 2010 when he was appointed to the Newberg ity Council, where he will be president until the end of this year. He said he will ocus on his private law practice, but a dded, definitely plan to stay involved in politics in the Thatcher overcomes Oct. surprise to win seat By Jason Silverstein Statesman Journal Kim Thatcher Ryan Howard SENATE DISTRICT 13 STATE SENATE District 10 Vote for 1 134 of 138 precincts: Glen Ewert, Democrat Jackie Winters, Republican 2 District 11 Vote for 1 118 of 122 precincts: Peter Courtney, Democrat 9,486 5 9 ,486 Patricia Milne, Republican 8 ,155 4 8 ,155 District 13 Vote for 1 118 of 122 precincts: Kim Thatcher, Republican 5,525 6 5 ,525 yan Howard, Democrat 3 District 20 Vote for 1 1 18 of 122 precincts: Alan Olsen, Republican 18 8 1 8 amie Damon, Democrat 31 3n STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES District 17 118 of 122 precincts: Rich Harisay, Democrat Sherrie Sprenger, Republican 2 District 18 Vote for 1 118 of 122 precincts: Scott A Mills, Democrat Vic Gilliam, Republican 5,311 6 5 ,311 District 19 Vote for 1 118 of 122 precincts: Bill Dalton, Democrat 6 Jodi Hack, Republican 7 District 20 Vote for 1 134 of 138 precincts: Kathy Goss, Republican 7,991 4 2 ,709 5 ,282 aul Evans, Democrat 8,630 5 2 ,937 5 ,693 District 21 Vote for 1 118 of 122 precincts: Brian Clem, Democrat 6 Beverly Wright, Republican 3,535 3 3 ,535 District 22 Vote for 1 118 of 122 precincts: Thad Marney 1 ichael Marsh 1 etty Komp, Democrat 3,703 5 3 ,703 att Geiger, Republican 3,227 4 3 ,227 District 23 Vote for 1 134 of 138 precincts: Mike Nearman, Republican 6 Wanda Davis, Democrat 4 ,140 3 7 06 3 ,434 A lex Polikoff 406 3 7 4 3 32 ark Karnowski 2 56 2 6 4 1 92 rite-In District 25 Vote for 1 1 18 of 122 precincts: Bill Post, Republican 4 ,649 5 4 ,649 osh Smith 2 27 3 2 27 huck Lee, Independent 3,727 4 3 ,727 ELECTION RESULTS.