The results of every election can provide a general sense of the mood of voters — and how they may respond in future elections. 

The May 19 election is no exception. Based on preliminary results, we’ve assembled a list of things to watch as we move toward the November general election and beyond. 

Please indulge us a caveat: As of this writing, the county elections office is still processing ballots and the final figures, if not results, could still change. (Our gray-haired elder statesman editors in the newsroom still remember the harrowing Florida recount of 2000, so we have to include this.)

Here’s what we can surmise so far:

Voters are pinched: The rising cost of living is manifesting itself in the results with tightfisted voters. The statewide rejection of gas tax increases for transportation is the most obvious example. But even smaller asks that are often an easier sell were struggling to stay alive, including proposed levy increases for the Oregon State University Extension Service, which includes 4-H programs, and Springfield’s Willamalane Park and Recreation District. 

This could mean a challenging time ahead for the county’s efforts to secure more public safety funding. County officials plan to do more outreach before deciding whether to ask voters in 2027 to approve a payroll tax or taxing district.

County turnout higher: Whether you like the election outcomes or not, turnout is higher than usual: 44% as of Friday, and that number will grow as more ballots trickle in. In the 2022 primaries, which also had contested gubernatorial races, nearly 100,000 voters submitted ballots for a turnout of 36.6%, according to Oregon Secretary of State records.  That’s likely due to a combination of factors such as the fuel tax proposal, individual races in each district and the enthusiasm, or lack thereof, for certain candidates. We’ll be watching to see if the higher turnout holds in the general election in November. In the 2022 November general election, Lane County’s turnout was 69%.

Buch-Pelroy runoff: It appears likely that Lane County Commissioner Heather Buch and challenger Jake Pelroy are headed to a November runoff. Pelroy is leading by a slim margin, less than 2 percentage points, in preliminary returns released Friday. But with less than half of the votes cast falling in his column in the three-way race, it goes to a runoff.

And a runoff election will look a lot different. It will be one with a higher turnout, for starters. And Buch and Pelroy’s donors will need to decide if they want to pony up more money to keep the campaign machinery running through November. Both candidates have spent more than $200,000 each on this race, and the spending for a county commissioner seat could hit the seven-figure mark if that pace continues. 

The battle before him: In his bid for a second four-year term, Lane County Commissioner David Loveall continues to lag his challenger, Springfield Mayor Sean VanGordon. Statistically, it’s unlikely that a runoff election will be necessary.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Loveall congratulated “Commissioner-elect Sean VanGordon,” who currently has more than 50% of the votes tallied. Loveall said he’s praying for VanGordon’s success.

On election night, Loveall acknowledged to supporters he was behind and closed out his brief talk with a prayer to the Almighty.

“Thank you for allowing us to be aware of the battle that’s before us, and the challenges and the issues before us,” Loveall prayed. “Lord God, we have a lot of work to do, so let’s not let up, because this night was not how we turned out. But Lord God, we know that everything turns out, because in the end, that last chapter, we win. So I want to claim that in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

A chorus of “amens” echoed in response. 

Even without a divine miracle, Loveall still has time for battle: He will be in office until Dec. 31, when his term ends. 

Post-primary politics ahead: How quickly candidates shift to general-election mode. Gov. Tina Kotek is now officially facing Republican Christine Drazan. The Democratic Party of Oregon launched a “No Trump in Oregon” campaign that shows the strategy they’ll take until November. The goal: Show voters how Drazan’s policies are similar to President Donald Trump’s.

At a press event in Eugene Thursday, House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, said: “In my time in the Legislature, I’ve had the chance to work closely with both Gov. Tina Kotek as governor and as speaker, and with Christine Drazan. I’ve tracked their public actions and their voting records, and I’ve come to know their values and what motivates them. And I can say with no hesitation that Christine Drazan is too extreme for Oregon.” 

— Ben Botkin

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Inside Eugene City hall with Grace chinowsky

City Council elections: Eugene City Council candidate Jennifer Smith prevailed in the race to replace five-term Ward 3 Councilor Alan Zelenka, who recently sat down with Lookout Eugene-Springfield for an interview about his tenure. Ward 5 Councilor Mike Clark and challenger Athena Aguiar appear set for a runoff election in November. Here’s the latest on those results. 

Local measures: Voters approved a five-year levy for the Eugene Public Library, though less overwhelmingly than the last time it was on the ballot five years ago — possibly another sign that voters increasingly have pocketbook worries. Amendments to Eugene’s charter got mixed results.

New street clinic: Take an inside look at a new mobile medical clinic coming to Community Supported Shelters’ office on West 11th Avenue. One new patient called it a “game-changer.”

Downtown’s safety ecosystem: Law enforcement, local security and behavioral health experts work collaboratively to connect vulnerable people in the neighborhood to services and make downtown feel and look safer. Are the efforts working?

Checking in on Springfield With lillian Schrock-Clevenger

Council weighing annexation: The City Council heard from 15 people last week who spoke to the community’s need for a crisis stabilization center and behavioral health hospital being proposed for northwest Springfield. The council will weigh whether to annex property into the city for the health campus, which is being planned by Lane County and PeaceHealth.

Rodley wins nomination: City councilor Kori Rodley is the presumptive winner of the Democratic primary for the Oregon House of Representatives 7th District, which surrounds Springfield. Rodley will challenge Republican Adam Wilson in November to succeed Rep. John Lively, a Democrat. 

Willamalane levy: Results released Friday show Willamalane’s proposed levy is ahead by 474 votes, with 51.4% of voters saying yes to increasing property taxes to help maintain services. District officials said Wednesday they were postponing budget meetings until June because the results were too close to call. 

Public works carnival: Third graders who visited City Hall last week got to carry a surveying rod through an obstacle course and see a teddy bear ride in a bucket truck used for tree trimming. The activities were part of an event hosted by the Public Works Department to show kids what it takes to operate a city.

beyond lane county

Another rematch: Once again, Democratic U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle is facing Republican Monique DeSpain, an attorney and retired Air Force colonel, in November, the Oregon Capital Chronicle reports. 

New requirement for food benefit: Oregonians will need to interview to receive federal food benefits starting June 1, the Capital Chronicle reports. 

Public Meetings this week

Tuesday

  • Lane County commissioners are skipping their regular Tuesday meeting this week. (Hey, when it’s already a three-day holiday weekend, why not make it a four-day weekend?) 
  • The Eugene Planning Commission meets at 5:30 p.m.
  • The Springfield Historic Commission will meet at 5 p.m.
  • The Springfield City Council will hold an executive session at 5:30 p.m. to discuss downtown property and labor contract negotiations.
  • The Springfield Economic Development Agency will have a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. to discuss contracting steps for Glenwood development.

Wednesday

  • The Eugene City Council meets at noon for an executive session and two work sessions to evaluate the police auditor’s performance and review a 2026 intergovernmental relations legislative summary.

Do you have story ideas or tips? Send them our way: ben@lookoutlocal.com | grace@lookoutlocal.com | lilliansc@lookoutlocal.com

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Ben Botkin covers politics and policy in Lane County. He has worked as a journalist since 2003, most recently at the Oregon Capital Chronicle, where he covered justice, health and human services and documented regional efforts to combat fentanyl addiction. Botkin has worked in statehouses in Idaho, Nevada, Oklahoma and, of course, Oregon. When he's not working, you'll find him road tripping across the West, hiking or surfing along the Oregon Coast.

Grace Chinowsky graduated from The George Washington University with a degree in journalism. She served as editor-in-chief of the university’s independent student newspaper, The GW Hatchet, and interned at CNN and MSNBC. Grace covers Eugene’s city government and the University of Oregon.