Democrats currently hold an 18-12 majority in the Oregon Senate and a 37-23 majority in the House. Oregon’s Constitution requires a three-fifths vote for revenue-raising bills, 18 votes in the Senate and 36 in the House, so even a small number of seats changing parties can matter.
Here are 10 races that could affect the balance of power in Salem. These elections stand out because they involve open seats, historically close districts, party switches or Republican-held seats that Democrats could capture.
Oregon Senate
SENATE DISTRICT 3 — JACKSON COUNTY
Denise Krause (D) vs. Brad Hicks (R)
Democratic Sen. Jeff Golden’s retirement leaves this Southern Oregon seat open. Golden’s previous Senate contest was relatively close, making SD3 one of the more consequential open-seat contests outside the Portland area. See related story on page 17.
SENATE DISTRICT 20 — CLACKAMAS COUNTY
Sen. Mark Meek (D) vs. Michele Stroh (R)
SD20 has a recent history of extremely close elections. Republican Michele Stroh is challenging Democratic incumbent Mark Meek.
SENATE DISTRICT 10 — SALEM AREA
Sen. Deb Patterson (D) vs. Angela Plowhead (R)
Patterson is defending a Democrat-held Salem-area seat against Republican Angela Plowhead.
SENATE DISTRICT 11 — NORTH SALEM/KEIZER/WOODBURN
Virginia Stapleton (D) vs. Tracy Cramer (R)
Republicans are defending this open seat following Sen. Kim Thatcher’s departure. Former Republican Rep. Tracy Cramer faces Democrat Virginia Stapleton.
SENATE DISTRICT 16 — NORTH COAST
Rachel Armitage (D) vs. Courtney Bangs (R)
Another Republican-held open seat, SD16 has an unusually balanced electorate. Nearly 40% of voters are nonaffiliated, compared with approximately 28% Democrats and 27% Republicans. The seat is currently held by Republican Sen. Suzanne Weber.
House of Representatives
HOUSE DISTRICT 32 — NORTH COAST
Rep. Cyrus Javadi (D) vs. Max Sherman (R)
Javadi won the seat as a Republican before switching to the Democratic Party in September 2025. A Sherman victory would return the seat to Republican control.
HOUSE DISTRICT 22 — WOODBURN AREA
Rep. Lesly Muñoz (D) vs. Noemi Legaspi (R)
Few Oregon House races were closer in 2024. Muñoz defeated Republican Tracy Cramer by just 161 votes, 10,480 to 10,319.
HOUSE DISTRICT 40 — OREGON CITY/GLADSTONE
Michael Sugar (D) vs. Adam Baker (R)
Democratic Rep. Annessa Hartman is leaving the legislature, making this an open seat. Baker previously came within 181 votes of winning HD40 in 2022.
HOUSE DISTRICT 7 — SPRINGFIELD
Kori Rodley (D) vs. Adam Wilson (R)
Democratic Rep. John Lively’s retirement created an open seat. Nonaffiliated voters comprise about 42% of district registration, compared with roughly 32% Democrats and 23% Republicans.
HOUSE DISTRICT 51 — CLACKAMAS COUNTY
Rep. Matt Bunch (R) vs. Darla Mead (D)
This race matters because Republicans are defending rather than trying to gain a seat. Bunch was appointed after Christine Drazan moved to the Senate.
Richard Emmons is the Publisher and Editor of the Oregon Eagle.