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Oregon News
2026 ELECTION
Oregon voters decide whether to boost their gas tax as Iran war causes prices at the pump to soar
Associated Press | By Claire Rush
Oregon voters are facing a familiar theme on their primary ballot Tuesday — well-financed Democratic incumbents looking to slide past little-known challengers while Republicans attempt to nominate candidates who could put up a fight in November in a heavily blue state.
Much of the Election Day drama will center less on candidate races and more on a referendum seeking to repeal a bill passed last fall by the Democratic-controlled Legislature that raised the state gas tax and hiked a series of fees.
“It’s going to lose, so we might as well get on to the work of finding alternatives,” said Democratic state Rep. Paul Evans, anticipating that voters will reject the gas tax increase. “It has been a frustrating year.”
Gas tax increase backfired on Democrats’ affordability messaging
Republicans began circulating a petition to repeal the tax and fee increases soon after Kotek signed the legislation. It didn’t take them long to gather more than three times the number of signatures required to place the measure on the ballot.
With the referendum going before voters at a time when gas prices are skyrocketing, Republicans are trying to turn the tables on national Democrats’ messaging about affordability and lowering the cost of living during this year’s midterm elections.
“Oregonians are paying more today and not getting more in return,” said Republican state Sen. Bruce Starr, who helped lead the referendum campaign. “So are they going to, at the polls, vote to increase the price of gas another six cents? I doubt it.”
Primary election 2026: Oregonians head to the ballot box
OPB | By Bryce Dole, Kathryn Styer Martinez, Kristian Foden-Vincil
Tuesday is Election Day, and Oregonians are primed to vote on everything from school bonds to fire districts to the state’s new labor boss. OPB will be talking with voters throughout the day and providing updates here.
Oregon primary election 2026 live updates: Republican race for governor, gas tax on the ballot and more The Oregonian | By Shane Dixon Kavanaugh
Oregon voters will determine a clutch of key political races and measures as results from the May 19 primary begin to roll in Tuesday night.
Results will start coming in at 8 p.m. Come back to this page this evening to get live updates on the key races as results roll in.
Oregon voters head to the polls for primary races and Measure 120 decision
KATU | By Bobby Corser
It’s Oregon’s primary election day. Voters will choose their parties’ candidates for the general election in November.
All voters will also weigh in on Measure 120, the controversial transportation referendum that would raise the gas tax, raise vehicle fees and raise the payroll tax.
KATU News will air a special election edition beginning at 8 p.m. on its YouTube page. Results will also be available on KATU.com.
When and where to find Oregon election results for May primary
Statesman Journal | By Anastasia Mason
The first round of unofficial results is expected to be released at the same time. StatesmanJournal.com will have local race results, starting at 8 p.m., as the first ballot counts are released.
Oregon Primary Election Voter Guide 2026: Candidates for state and federal offices, statewide measures
KGW | By Anthony Macuk
Today is Election Day! Here's what you need to know about the governor's race, U.S. House and U.S. Senate races, and the gas tax measure.
4 GOP candidates vie to take on Kotek in Oregon governor’s race
KOIN 6 | By Michaela Bourgeois
Four Republican candidates are fighting for the chance to take on Democratic Governor Tina Kotek in Oregon’s May 19 primary election.
Voter turnout nears 26% with 1 final day to cast ballots
The Oregonian | By Betsy Hammond
Nearly 26% of Oregon voters had returned their ballots to county elections offices as of Monday, the state reported, suggesting turnout for today’s election may exceed that of 2018 and 2022, the most recent gubernatorial primaries.
POLITICS
Oregon DMV reviews use of undercover license plates for federal agents in wake of legal threat
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Shaanth Nanguneri
The internal inquiry comes as the Trump administration has threatened to sue states that withhold undercover license plates for federal agents.
Oregon backs Providence’s home health spin‑off to private equity‑backed firm – with conditions
The Oregonian | By Kristine de Leon
Oregon health officials have tentatively given the green light – with strings attached – to a controversial deal that will give a private equity-backed, for-profit healthcare company a major role in Providence’s home health and hospice operations in Oregon.
Oregon to reinstate SNAP interview requirement for food benefits June 1
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Mia Maldonado
All Oregonians applying for or renewing federal food benefits will as of June 1 have to complete an interview with state human services staff.
The changes reflect a return to pre-pandemic standards for receiving Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits, or SNAP, which serve more than one in six Oregonians.
Those potholes in your street reveal a money problem for cities and states
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Amanda Watford
Across the country, potholes are more than a seasonal nuisance. They are a visible symptom of aging roads and bridges that many state and local governments say they cannot afford to fully maintain.
Interim Leader of Home Forward Pledges Greater Transparency and New Chapter After CEO Resigns
Willamette Week | By Sophie Peel
Michael Buonocore says he’ll try his best to restore trust in the city’s housing authority after a bruising five months.
Oregon judge on leave amid allegations of vulgar language at Sunriver conference
The Oregonian | By Noelle Crombie
A longtime state judge in Salem is under investigation after he allegedly used vulgarities to refer to a prosecutor and a fellow judge, both women, during a judicial conference in central Oregon last month, sources say.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Blazers Make Sweeping Layoffs on Business Side Under New Owner
Willamette Week | By Aaron Mesh
The Portland Trail Blazers laid off at least three dozen staff members on the business side of the operation Tuesday morning, people familiar with the decision tell WW. The layoffs are the latest signal of deep organizational change at the NBA franchise under its new owner, Dallas billionaire Tom Dundon.
WILDFIRE
Hundreds of Northwest towns at greater wildfire risk than previously estimated
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Shaanth Nanguneri
More than 400 mostly small communities throughout the Northwest, such as Cave Junction, Glendale and La Pine in southern and central Oregon, are at greater risk of suffering from wildfires and their impacts than previously thought when socioeconomic conditions are factored into risk assessments, new research finds.
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