Oregon's emergency governor made a major step toward election by winning the Democratic Primary Tuesday night. Kate Brown will face Republican Bud Pierce in the November general election.
Brown faced a field of political unknowns among Democrats, while Pierce, a Salem oncologist, had a tougher fight against former state GOP chair Allen Alley and some lesser-known names.
In the end, both cruised to their respective nominations.
Brown became governor upon the resignation of John Kitzhaber in February 2015. She had been Secretary of State. Since Kitzhaber departed before the middle of a four-year term, Oregon law required this year's vote for a two-year term.
Pierce will now turn his attention to breaking a long losing streak for the Republican party. The last time Oregon voters put a member of the GOP in the governor's office was with the election of Vic Atiyeh in 1982.Two Independent Party of Oregon candidates also faced off in a primary; results are pending.
