Dead Heat Poll: Sen. Devlin vs. Steve Griffith

Senate Majority Leader in “Statistical Tie” with Republican Challenger Steve Griffith
From Steve Griffith Campaign,

Oregon politics has a new, competitive race to watch. State Senator Richard Devlin’s hold on his legislative seat is more precarious than ever according to a Riley Research survey, which shows a statistical tie in a match-up between the Democratic incumbent and Republican hopeful Steve Griffith. Riley Research Associates surveyed 269 voters regarding their awareness and opinions of potential candidates for Oregon Senate District 19. The scientific poll was conducted from April 16th through the 20th and shows a statistical tie between Republican Steve Griffith at 39% and the incumbent Democratic Richard Devlin at 42% with a +/- of 5.96%.

Preparing to embark for the Nationals in Washington, DC as coach of the Lincoln High School Constitution team, Steve Griffith was elated by the results. “It is time for new leadership in Salem. After 14 years in office, Senator Devlin has become the captive of special interest groups and lost the support of the voters. This year, when faced with fiscal shortfalls, he deflected his own responsibility and turned on the businesses community. In a time of high unemployment, he made employers the enemy. Oregon is at a turning point. It can emerge as a leader of bipartisan stewardship or it can remain in partisan gridlock. These results are a clear sign the voters are ready for positive change.”

Griffith is pleased, but not surprised, that his message is resonating with voters. Since entering the race, constituents have repeatedly heard their frustration with the current regime in Salem. “When voters look at Salem, they see a government that is no longer responsive to the people, a government divided by partisanship that has become its own interest group. I am running to offer people a change. For everyone who is tired of the status quo, of the power politics of the majority and special interest groups, I offer an alternative. It is an alternative to ever-expanding government. I will build bridges between the parties. I will work to restore our Oregon sense of community. I will make the people and the interest of the people — the public interest – the priority. Devlin campaigned as being a moderate who works across party lines. He abandoned that moderation when he became the Caucus leader for the Democrats.”

Griffith, who was recently named Teacher of the Week by K103 FM, hopes to take the lessons he is teaching in the classroom to the legislature in November- and it looks like he will get that chance. Currently, Griffith is the Republican front runner in Oregon Senate District 19 Primary, with a 2.5 to 1 advantage over online charter school lobbyist Mary Kremer. The primary election in May is drawing ever closer, bringing Griffith closer to a head to head with Devlin. Griffith is the best chance the GOP has had in claiming the District 19 seat in over 14 years.

Steve Griffith’s roots run deep in the community with over 30 years of experience as an attorney at Stoel Rives LLP. He served as legal counsel to the Oregon House Judiciary Committee during the 1981 legislative session. He holds a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School, a Master of Philosophy in Politics from Oxford University, and a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard College. He and his wife Christine have been married 29 years and raised two children in SW Portland. He and his wife have attended St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church for 32 years.
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