May 20 Special District Election
It's official: Five candidates endorsed
by Linn County Dems score victories
Kris McLaughlin
June 13 update:
The May 20 Special District Election concluded Thursday, June 12, with certification of the election by Oregon county election officers, including those in Linn and Benton counties. The final results confirmed what was known soon after the election: Five of the six candidates endorsed by the Linn County Democrats won their races and the Albany public safety local option tax, also receiving the Linn Dems' endorsement, passed.
Here's a recap:
• Kris McLaughlin never trailed in a close race against Tim Washko, winning the Greater Albany Public Schools Board At-Large Position 2 seat.
McLaughlin, a retired Calapooia Middle School teacher, defeated Washko by 98 votes — 4,866 (38.41 percent) to 4,768 (37.64) percent). Marcy Hermens finished distant third with 2,996 votes (23.65 percent).
In a Facebook post June 13, McLaughln thanked everyone who helped on her campaign and looked ahead.
"Now the work begins," she said. "It is my intention to do all I can to contribute to the smooth, effective operation of the board and create a more positive tone between district administration, school staff members, and the community. I encourage you to participate in this by keeping in touch with what the schools are doing — attending events, getting to games, enjoying concerts, attending meetings — and talking up the positive things you see. If you have children in school and you really like what is going on in the school or classroom, tell people about it. "
• GAPS Zone 2: Stephanie Lunceford won her race against Jenna Gould.
• GAPS Zone 1: Kristopher Schendel finished a strong second in the three-way race. Incumbent Brad Wilson won reelection, and Deanna Varner finished third.
• Linn Benton Lincoln ESD Zone 1: Bill Hays won a three-way race.
• Linn Benton Lincoln ESD Zone 3: Michael Thomson, unopposed, cruised to victory.
• Linn-Benton Community College Zone 5: Brad Longman defeated John Saran.
• Albany Ambulance, Fire and Police Local Option Tax passed by a 77 to 22 percent margin.
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The Linn Dems didn't make endorsements for Lebanon school board or Lebanon Aquatics District Board, but Linn County Neighborhood Leaders canvassed for three candidates who defeated opponents backed by the Linn County Conservative Alliance. Winning those races were: Lorlee Engler, Lebanon Community School District Board, Zone 2; Nichole Piland, Lebanon Community School District Board, Zone 5; and Julie Miller, Lebanon Aquatics District, Position 4;
The Linn-Benton Community College Zone 2-3 (A) race was the closest one of all, with challenger Rachel Biscoe defeating incumbent Stacie Wass-Schoenborn by 26 votes out of a total of 9,022 votes cast
The May 20 Special District Election concluded Thursday, June 12, with certification of the election by Oregon county election officers, including those in Linn and Benton counties. The final results confirmed what was known soon after the election: Five of the six candidates endorsed by the Linn County Democrats won their races and the Albany public safety local option tax, also receiving the Linn Dems' endorsement, passed.
Here's a recap:
• Kris McLaughlin never trailed in a close race against Tim Washko, winning the Greater Albany Public Schools Board At-Large Position 2 seat.
McLaughlin, a retired Calapooia Middle School teacher, defeated Washko by 98 votes — 4,866 (38.41 percent) to 4,768 (37.64) percent). Marcy Hermens finished distant third with 2,996 votes (23.65 percent).
In a Facebook post June 13, McLaughln thanked everyone who helped on her campaign and looked ahead.
"Now the work begins," she said. "It is my intention to do all I can to contribute to the smooth, effective operation of the board and create a more positive tone between district administration, school staff members, and the community. I encourage you to participate in this by keeping in touch with what the schools are doing — attending events, getting to games, enjoying concerts, attending meetings — and talking up the positive things you see. If you have children in school and you really like what is going on in the school or classroom, tell people about it. "
• GAPS Zone 2: Stephanie Lunceford won her race against Jenna Gould.
• GAPS Zone 1: Kristopher Schendel finished a strong second in the three-way race. Incumbent Brad Wilson won reelection, and Deanna Varner finished third.
• Linn Benton Lincoln ESD Zone 1: Bill Hays won a three-way race.
• Linn Benton Lincoln ESD Zone 3: Michael Thomson, unopposed, cruised to victory.
• Linn-Benton Community College Zone 5: Brad Longman defeated John Saran.
• Albany Ambulance, Fire and Police Local Option Tax passed by a 77 to 22 percent margin.
***
The Linn Dems didn't make endorsements for Lebanon school board or Lebanon Aquatics District Board, but Linn County Neighborhood Leaders canvassed for three candidates who defeated opponents backed by the Linn County Conservative Alliance. Winning those races were: Lorlee Engler, Lebanon Community School District Board, Zone 2; Nichole Piland, Lebanon Community School District Board, Zone 5; and Julie Miller, Lebanon Aquatics District, Position 4;
The Linn-Benton Community College Zone 2-3 (A) race was the closest one of all, with challenger Rachel Biscoe defeating incumbent Stacie Wass-Schoenborn by 26 votes out of a total of 9,022 votes cast
Video remarks at our election night watch party
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From left: GAPS Board candidates Stephanie Lunceford, who won her race, and Kris McLaughlin, who was leading hers and would go on to win; and Linn County Democrat Susan Leonard, who concluded the evening with an inspirational speech.
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From left, Benton County Dems Chair Gabe Shepherd speaks on behalf of GAPS Board candidate Kristopher Schendel; Linn Benton Lincoln ESD Board winners Michael Thomson and Bill Hays.
Letter from the Chair
Thank you to all who volunteered time
and energy in the May 20 Special Election
Ben Watts
I want to take a moment to recognize the enormous effort that went into supporting our endorsed candidates across Linn County, including the GAPS board to the LBCC seat in western Linn County, to the two Linn-Benton-Lincoln ESD positions that together cover nearly the entire county. Additionally, many Neighborhood Leaders worked hard to support a group of women candidates for the Lebanon school board and aquatic district. While these candidates were not formally endorsed by the party, the efforts of those volunteers likewise have earned well-deserved recognition and thanks.
Thousands of volunteer hours went into this, from door-knocking, to writing letters and postcards, contacting friends and neighbors, and sharing information online. At every step of the way, the dedication of our candidates and our volunteers has shone through.
I know the outcome for one GAPS board position was disappointing for many of us who care deeply about our public education system. We have heard some frustration around endorsements, so I want to share a bit about our process.
The Linn County Democrats Campaigns Committee worked closely with several candidates over the past several months. All three of our endorsed GAPS candidates spent that time meeting with members, attending events like the GAEA / GA-ACE forum, building their campaign teams and developing campaign plans.
In the case of the GAPS Zone 1 position, Deanna Varner filed on the day before the filing deadline. We invited her to speak with us at our endorsement meeting and welcomed the chance to hear from her, but this was our first opportunity to connect. While many members liked what she had to say, the timing made it difficult to fully evaluate her alongside Kristopher Schendel, whom our membership then voted to endorse.
Our endorsement was never about opposing the educators or their priorities. We deeply respect our educators and believe we’re aligned in our commitment to strong, inclusive public schools. We did the best we could with the information and relationships we had at the time.
Now, more than ever, we need to come together. Moving forward, we’re committed to listening, learning, and continuing to build stronger coalitions in our community, including our education partners. Let’s refocus on the values we hold in common and keep showing up.
Finally, I want to thank everyone who supported our students, educators, and community in this election.
To all of you who volunteered your time and energy: Thank you!
Gratefully,
Ben Watts
Chair, Linn County Democrats
Thousands of volunteer hours went into this, from door-knocking, to writing letters and postcards, contacting friends and neighbors, and sharing information online. At every step of the way, the dedication of our candidates and our volunteers has shone through.
I know the outcome for one GAPS board position was disappointing for many of us who care deeply about our public education system. We have heard some frustration around endorsements, so I want to share a bit about our process.
The Linn County Democrats Campaigns Committee worked closely with several candidates over the past several months. All three of our endorsed GAPS candidates spent that time meeting with members, attending events like the GAEA / GA-ACE forum, building their campaign teams and developing campaign plans.
In the case of the GAPS Zone 1 position, Deanna Varner filed on the day before the filing deadline. We invited her to speak with us at our endorsement meeting and welcomed the chance to hear from her, but this was our first opportunity to connect. While many members liked what she had to say, the timing made it difficult to fully evaluate her alongside Kristopher Schendel, whom our membership then voted to endorse.
Our endorsement was never about opposing the educators or their priorities. We deeply respect our educators and believe we’re aligned in our commitment to strong, inclusive public schools. We did the best we could with the information and relationships we had at the time.
Now, more than ever, we need to come together. Moving forward, we’re committed to listening, learning, and continuing to build stronger coalitions in our community, including our education partners. Let’s refocus on the values we hold in common and keep showing up.
Finally, I want to thank everyone who supported our students, educators, and community in this election.
To all of you who volunteered your time and energy: Thank you!
Gratefully,
Ben Watts
Chair, Linn County Democrats
Thank you to the candidates we endorsed and everyone who supported them
