Wantz Leads Lofy in Florence, Lynn Widens Her Lead, Kotek Projected to Win Re-Election

FLORENCE, Ore. — Sally Wantz holds just over half the vote for Florence mayor in Lane County’s 10 p.m. returns. Daniel Lofy has narrowed her lead from 364 votes to 353. In the race for the Oregon House seat that includes Florence, Claire Lynn’s advantage has grown from 3,037 votes to 3,313. And in the race for governor, Decision Desk HQ projects that Tina Kotek will serve a second term.

I ran for governor of Oregon. I withdrew last December, and tonight I find myself in the editor’s chair announcing the projected winner of the office I once sought. Decision Desk HQ called the race for Kotek at 8:08 p.m. Pacific. Our earlier edition said I could not verify a call. The projection was already public, and this edition corrects that omission. Oregon’s official count remains underway. Decision Desk HQ projection and timing

Here in Florence, Wantz has 2,117 votes, or 50.17%, in the county returns reported by Lookout Eugene-Springfield. Lofy has 1,764 votes, or 41.80%, and Shannon Warren has 327, or 7.75%. All three gained votes in the latest count. Lofy added 79, Wantz added 68, and Warren added 20. The next mayor will serve a two-year term beginning in 2027. Florence election returns

Shannon Warren offered her own assessment of the race. “I'm disappointed that more people didn't vote for change here in Florence. One day I'm going to change the world I just don't know how yet.”

The closest contest in Florence is for the second four-year seat on the City Council. Jo Beaudreau leads the field with 2,239 votes. Terry Duman holds second with 1,828, 60 votes ahead of Ryan Eichelberger, who has 1,768. Justin Ludwig has 1,416.

For the two partial terms ending in 2029, Mike Webb leads with 2,148 votes. Haylee Cole holds second place with 1,880, followed by Renee Lo Pilato with 1,775 and Elijah Yager with 1,279. Florence voters could choose two candidates in each council contest. City of Florence election guide

In the governor’s race, the Secretary of State’s 10:45 p.m. report gives Kotek 743,488 votes to Drazan’s 643,016. Pacific Green candidate Brett Smith has 36,510 votes, and write-in candidates account for another 1,710. Kotek’s lead now stands at 100,472 votes, up from 91,787 in the 9 p.m. report. Oregon governor’s returns

In Oregon House District 9, Republican Claire Lynn has 16,229 votes to Democrat John Ezra Scheirman’s 12,916. Since our 9:25 p.m. edition, Lynn has added 619 votes and Scheirman has added 343. These totals cover the entire district, including voters outside Florence who also have a say in who represents this stretch of the coast in Salem. Oregon House election returns

In Oregon’s 4th Congressional District, Democratic U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle has 147,508 votes to Republican Monique DeSpain’s 116,312. Pacific Green and Progressive candidate Justin Filip has 8,133. In the U.S. Senate race, the Associated Press has called the contest for Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley. The state tally puts Merkley at 789,816 votes and Republican David Brock Smith at 553,249. Oregon federal election returns · U.S. Senate race call

In Dunes City, the mayoral race is closer still. Chris John leads incumbent Edward McGuire 360 to 352. What was a 17-vote lead in the earlier returns is now eight. The city’s proposed prohibition on new short-term rentals trails, with 456 votes against and 374 in favor.

Western Lane Ambulance District voters continue to favor renewing the district’s five-year levy. Measure 20-389 has 6,481 votes in favor and 1,536 against, or 80.84% support. Renewal would keep the rate at 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Western Lane election results

Oregon reports 1,436,803 ballots counted statewide as of 10:45 p.m. Lane County reports 140,914 ballots counted as of 10 p.m. Ballots postmarked by Election Day can still count if they arrive by November 10. With eight votes separating the candidates for mayor in Dunes City and 60 separating two council candidates in Florence, those ballots could decide who takes office. Lane County Elections · Oregon statewide returns

I congratulate Governor Kotek on her projected reelection. Having once asked Oregonians for that same responsibility, I know what it takes to put your name before the voters. Christine Drazan and Brett Smith deserve thanks for giving people a choice. My hope for the governor’s second term is that an Oregonian who voted for either of them will feel just as welcome bringing a concern to her office as someone who voted for her. That is the courtesy I would have wanted to show had the office been mine.