GOP fighting to regain Hillsboro House seats

by NW Spotlight

Republicans took the two Hillsboro Oregon House seats in 2010.

Republican Katie Eyre defeated Democrat Katie Riley 53.1% to 46.7% in HD 29 – which had an 8.8% Democratic voter registration advantage. Incumbent Rep. Chuck Riley (D) was not running again so that he could run against Republican Sen. Bruce Starr – a race Riley lost.

Republican Shawn Lindsay defeated Democrat Doug Ainge 53.3% to 46.5% in HD 30 – which had a 7.1% Democratic voter registration advantage. Incumbent Rep. David Edwards (D) did not run again so he could spend more time with his family.

Democrats retook both Hillsboro seats in 2012, riding on the re-election of President Obama. President Obama defeated Mitt Romney 54% to 42% in Oregon, and 57% to 40% in Washington County – where Hillsboro is the county seat.

Now Republicans are gearing up to retake the Hillsboro seats.

Washington County prosecutor Mark Richman is seeking the Republican nomination in HD 29. Rep. Ben Unger (D) is the current incumbent in HD 29 – which has a 7.8% Democratic voter registration advantage.

Republican Dan Mason is seeking the Republican nomination in HD 30. Rep. Joe Gallegos (D) is the current incumbent in HD 30 – which has a 6.7% Democratic voter registration advantage. Dan ran an excellent but unsuccessful race in 2012 against Rep. Chris Harker (D) in HD 34 – which had a 17.1% Democratic voter registration advantage. Dan remained a class act after the election, despite the classless behavior of his opponent.