Ackland takes early lead in Springfield City Council race

Updated at 10:50 a.m. Nov. 4 with comment from Callee Ackland.

Callee Ackland leads in the race for the Springfield City Council Ward 4 seat, according to unofficial returns.

Ackland had 57.1% of the votes, while Jill Cuadros had 42.2%, as of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Neither candidate could be reached for comment on election night.

On Wednesday morning, Ackland sent a statement to Lookout Eugene-Springfield: “This isn’t my victory, but a victory for the working-class families of Springfield, who turned out in support of a better and brighter future. I ran for this office on the belief that a government by and for the people should improve the lives of the constituents we serve. Over the next two years, I look forward to doing just that. Thank you Springfield!”

Ackland is a tenant support specialist at the nonprofit Springfield Eugene Tenant Association and serves on the Springfield Planning Commission. Cuadros is a support services director at Eugene School District 4J and is interim Ward 4 councilor. 

The City Council appointed Cuadros in April to serve through the end of the year, filling the seat left open when Beth Blackwell stepped down at the end of December.

The winner of the Nov. 3 election will complete Blackwell’s term, which runs through 2028. 

Ward 4 is the only Springfield City Council seat on the ballot.

Campaign finance records show that, as of election day, Ackland raised $37,171 and spent $30,551, while Cuadros received $41,933 and spent $38,886.

The nonpartisan race has been contentious, with the candidates disagreeing on a campaign sign incident last month. 

The council will see many changes over the next month. Councilor Kori Rodley on Tuesday night was leading in the race for the Oregon House of Representatives 7th District, which includes Springfield.

And Mayor Sean VanGordon in May won the primary for Lane County Commissioner for Springfield, taking more than 50% of the vote in the contest against Commissioner David Loveall.