Challenger John Wilson held a narrow lead over incumbent Pat Malone in the contested Democratic primary for Benton County commissioner, while Philomath voters were comfortably approving a five-year fire district operating levy, narrowly backing a psilocybin ban and approving all seven annexation proposals, according to updated returns released Tuesday night by the Benton County Records and Elections Department.
The 10:45 p.m. tally was the second batch of results posted on election night. The county reported 23,323 ballots counted out of 61,166 active registered voters, for a turnout of 38.13%.
In the Position 1 race for the Benton County Board of Commissioners, Wilson led Malone 5,654 to 5,412 — a margin of 242 votes, or 51.02% to 48.84%. Write-ins accounted for 15 votes. With no Republican filing for the seat, the winner of the Democratic primary will be the only major-party candidate on the November general election ballot.
Malone, 78, of Kings Valley, owns Sunrise Tree Farm and is serving his second term on the board. Wilson, 69, has served on the Adair Village City Council since 2025 and on the Benton County Planning Commission since 2023.
Philomath Fire and Rescue’s Measure 2-155, a five-year local operating levy for fire rescue personnel and operations, was passing comfortably with 8,331 yes votes (82.31%) to 1,790 no votes (17.69%).
The measure authorizes a tax rate of 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value beginning in the 2027-28 fiscal year and running through 2031-32. The rate matches an existing bond for buildings and emergency response vehicles that expires in June 2027, meaning the levy would replace rather than add to the current tax rate. For a homeowner with property assessed at $300,000, the annual cost is $150.
Fire Chief Chancy Ferguson and district leaders had said the levy was essential to maintaining current staffing and service levels as call volumes have climbed 33% over the past five years. The district responded to more than 1,130 calls last year, 81% of them medical. If approved, the levy is projected to generate roughly $3 million over five years.
Measure 2-147, the proposed permanent ban on psilocybin-related businesses and product manufacturing within Philomath city limits, was narrowly passing in updated returns with 716 yes votes (50.96%) to 689 no votes (49.04%) — a margin of just 27 votes. The margin tightened from the earlier 8 p.m. count, when the ban led by 44 votes.
Philomath voters approved a temporary ban in 2022 while the City Council studied the issue and extended the moratorium two years later. That extension is set to expire this year. If certified, the ban would block psilocybin service centers and manufacturers from operating in the city. If the measure fails, those establishments could move forward subject to time, place and manner restrictions the council has already adopted by ordinance.
All seven annexation measures referred by the City Council were passing in updated returns. The measures cover six island territories — properties surrounded by city limits but not part of the city — and one public right-of-way along North Seventh Street, totaling 10 properties and 15.5 acres.
Updated results on the annexations:
- Measure 2-148 (500 Pioneer Street): 976 yes (71.87%), 382 no
- Measure 2-149 (392 N. Seventh Street): 985 yes (72.21%), 379 no
- Measure 2-150 (North Seventh Street right-of-way): 1,015 yes (75.07%), 337 no
- Measure 2-151 (498 N. Ninth Street): 966 yes (71.40%), 387 no
- Measure 2-152 (365 and 401 N. 17th Street): 966 yes (71.24%), 390 no
- Measure 2-153 (610 S. 19th Street): 963 yes (70.91%), 395 no
- Measure 2-154 (640, 700 and 714 19th Street): 2,048 yes (65.68%), 1,070 no
State law requires each annexation proposal to appear separately on the ballot. The properties carry a mix of zoning designations including low-density residential, medium-density residential, industrial and public right-of-way.
Benton County voters also weighed in on a slate of statewide and legislative primaries. The following are local-only returns of interest from the 10:45 p.m. tally:
- U.S. Senator — Democrat: Jeff Merkley, 11,188 (94.60%); Paul Damian Wells, 610 (5.16%). Merkley leads overall at 93.33%.
- U.S. Senator — Republican: Jo Rae Perkins led the seven-candidate field with 1,725 votes (33.39%), followed by David Brock Smith with 1,466 (28.38%) and Brent Barker with 1,070 (20.71%). Smith leads overall at 30.09% with Perkins at 26.63% and Barker at 23.12%.
- U.S. Representative, 4th District — Democrat: Incumbent Val Hoyle, 8,420 (72.15%); Melissa Bird, 3,049 (26.13%); Daniel B. Bahlen, 177 (1.52%). Hoyle leads overall at 77.47%.
- U.S. Representative, 4th District — Republican: Monique DeSpain, 4,290 (86.01%); Stefan G. Strek, 655 (13.13%). DeSpain leads overall at 86.74%.
- Governor — Democrat: Incumbent Tina Kotek led the 10-candidate field with 9,857 votes (88.94%). No other candidate topped 2%. Kotek leads overall at 84.22%.
- Governor — Republican: Christine Drazan led with 2,533 votes (43.84%), followed by Ed Diehl with 1,956 (33.85%) and Chris Dudley with 838 (14.50%). Drazan leads overall at 42.74% with Diehl second at 32.65%.
- State Representative, 10th District — Democrat: David Gomberg, who is running unopposed in the Democratic primary, drew 1,392 votes. Overall, he has 6,505 votes. No candidates filed for the Republican primary.
- Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries: Christina E. Stephenson, 12,998 (71.94%); Chris Lynch, 4,999 (27.67%). The nonpartisan race appears on the May ballot for all voters. Overall, Stephenson leads at 62.47%.
- Judge of the Circuit Court, 21st District, Position 3: Yema T. Measho led the three-candidate nonpartisan race with 10,562 votes (55.47%), followed by Michael W. Flinn with 5,005 (26.29%) and Joseph O. Elwood with 3,407 (17.89%).
- Measure 120 to increase fuel taxes and vehicle fees: The no votes lead with 15,776 (71.12%) to 6,407 yes votes (28.88%). Statewide, the measure is failing with 83.11% no votes.