Portland, Ore.– Voters in Oregon on Tuesday He rejected the gas tax increase Democratic lawmakers passed it last year, a victory for Republicans who brought the issue to voters at a time when the war with Iran caused prices at gas stations to soar.
Democrats had raised the state’s gas tax by 6 cents per gallon and increased a series of fees to help pay for road improvements and fill a hole in the state’s transportation budget. Republicans responded by launching a successful referendum campaign to refer tax and fee increases to voters.
While Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley easily won Tuesday’s primary, much of the drama on Election Day focused less on the candidates’ races and more on the referendum on repealing the bill passed by the Democratic-controlled Legislature last fall. Raising the state tax on gas He raised a series of fees.
The failure of the gas tax was no surprise to Democrats, who acknowledged that the timing of the vote was against them. The tax increase also runs counter to national Democrats’ strategy of focusing on affordability concerns in hopes of regaining control of Congress in this year’s midterm elections.
Republicans have sought to counter Democrats’ affordability messaging by portraying increases in taxes and fees as further raising the cost of living. Meanwhile, Democrats said the root cause of rising gas prices was President Donald Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran.
The legislation was Democrats’ answer to help Oregon’s transportation budget at a time when the state plans to reduce transportation costs Decreased gas tax revenues From switching to more fuel-efficient electric and hybrid cars. The gas tax is the largest source of funding for road repair and highway development.
Referendum known as Size 120landed on the ballot as The cost of gas is rising The country from the war in Iran.
Republicans began circulating a petition to repeal the tax and fee increases shortly after Kotick signed the legislation. It didn’t take long to collect more than three times the number of signatures needed to put the measure on the ballot.
With the referendum going before voters at a time when gas prices are skyrocketing, Republicans are trying to turn the tables on national Democrats’ messages about… Affordability and Reducing the cost of living During the midterm elections this year.
For his part, Trump recently said that he would do so Move to suspend federal gas tax 18 cents per gallon, which would need to be approved by Congress.
Late Tuesday afternoon, a steady stream of voters arrived at the Portland library that served as a ballot drop-off location. Even in the progressive center, Democratic voters were divided on the measure.
“I feel like the roads need to be fixed as a cyclist, so I voted yes,” said Jill Watnick, 56, who arrived by bike wearing a bright yellow helmet.
David Trujillo, 25, said he voted for Kotick in the primary but voted against the gas tax increase.
“I think right now, with gas prices going up and the war going on, it’s very difficult for people to get around,” he said. “If gas prices go up, I think that will be a huge disincentive for more members of our community.”
Kotick, seeking re-election, faced nine primary opponents who reported having raised little or no money and had no experience in elected office.
Republicans have a crowded electoral base with 14 candidates running against them in November. They include State Sen. Christine Drazan, who lost to Kotek in the 2022 general election, and State Rep. Ed Diehl, who helped lead the gas tax referendum campaign.
The primary also includes Chris Dudley, a former NBA player whose career included time with the Portland Trail Blazers and who narrowly lost a previous bid for governor in 2010, and David Medina, a conservative influencer who was among those indicted after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and pardoned by President Donald Trump last year. Medina faced charges that included obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, and several misdemeanors that included destruction of government property and disorderly and disruptive conduct.
To date, Drazan and Dudley report raising the most money. Dudley notably received a $1 million contribution from Phil Knight, the billionaire co-founder of Nike, based in Oregon.
Whoever gets out faces a difficult road to the governor’s office. Democrats appear to be active across the country this year, and Oregon has not elected a Republican governor in more than 40 years.
Voters also cast ballots in the U.S. Senate primaries and the state’s six U.S. House seats, five of which are held by Democrats.
Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, considered its most competitive, flipped by Republicans for the first time in decades in 2022 but was taken back by Democrats in 2024. The district stretches from South Portland through the Cascade Mountain Range to Bend.
Democratic incumbent Rep. Janelle Bynum has more than $2 million on hand and is competing against a primary opponent who has not reported raising any money.
Two candidates, a county commissioner and a political consultant, are competing in the district’s Republican primary.
Other seats in the US House of Representatives are considered largely safe for current incumbents.
Seven Republicans are running in the primaries to challenge Merkley in the fall.