SALEM, Ore. — Voters in Medford, Ashland, Corvallis and Albany have an unusually large amount of power in next month’s election.
Those cities form the core of two ultra-competitive state Senate districts that will help determine whether the Democrats can hold onto their control of the Oregon Legislature.
A number of competitive districts in the House are also up for grabs, but Republicans face a much tougher hurdle to grab the majority there.
So all eyes are on two incumbents in the Senate: Democrat Alan Bates of Medford and Republican Betsy Close of Albany.
Spending by the candidates has already topped $1 million in each of those races, and that doesn’t count the money spent by independent groups. Several other races are also drawing big spending.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.