A preview of Election Day from 418 days away
Filing day is the first chance for prospective candidates to get their name on the ballot. Here's how key races across the state look today.
Disclaimer: While I think this is a pretty fair evaluation of the races, it is written from my perspective. This post represents my personal opinions and only my personal opinions.
To most Oregonians, September 14th was a completely ordinary Thursday. For the politically enamored, it has been circled on calendars for months. It was the first day for candidates to file to appear on the May 2024 primary election ballot.
Some—but certainly not all—incumbents filed for re-election. Another handful of candidates have already filed separate paperwork to raise money via their political action committees (PACs), but won’t file paperwork to appear on the ballot for weeks or even months from now.
A handful of incumbents are still discussing with key advisors or family members whether they want to pursue re-election. On both sides of the aisle, a bid for higher office from an incumbent lawmaker has consequences that ripple down ballot, while a bid for re-election means not having to buy new lawn signs.
Here’s a look at some notable races that have developed in the last few weeks.
The Democratic primary for Secretary of State. Term-limited Treasurer Tobias Read has officially launched his campaign for Secretary of State. He is joined in the race by State Senator James Manning (D-Eugene). Most folks believe Read, who ran for governor in 2022, has the advantage. His recent race means a fresher, bigger fundraising list, higher name ID, and potentially better access to talented campaign staff. Manning would be the first black Secretary of State, though he hasn’t run statewide before and is still newer to politics than Read who has a decade head start. Big special interests can tip those scales but that picture is still unclear. Right now it doesn’t look like the Fagan, Hass, McLeod Skinner primary from 2020.