PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Democrat Tobias Read and Republican Dennis Linthicum are going head to head for the role of Oregon’s next secretary of state after the person who previously held the title was ousted from the role in 2023.

As of 10:45 p.m. Tuesday, current state treasurer Tobias Read has 826,979 votes (53.98%) while current senator Dennis Linthicum has 661,434 votes (43.17%).

Back in May, current Oregon Treasurer Tobias Read won the Democratic primary with a 70% majority and Sen. Dennis Linthicum (District 28) took a 66% majority to represent Republicans.

The election comes more than a year after former secretary Shemia Fagan stepped down from office due to a scandal two years into her term. She had recused herself from a state audit on the cannabis industry earlier in the year, which spurred an investigation.

Fagan then faced ethics concerns for her paid consulting work with Veride Holding LLC, an affiliate of cannabis company La Mota. Her contract was active as her office audited the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission and concluded that Oregon laws were hindering cannabis businesses.

Deputy Secretary Cheryl Myers oversaw the agency until Gov. Tina Kotek appointed LaVonne Griffin-Valade to the position in June 2023. Ahead of Election Day, both candidates have expressed an interest in repairing the public distrust that the office has faced.

Candidate Profiles

Democrat Tobias Read

Leaving behind his role as Oregon Treasurer (which he has served since 2017), Read claims to be the only candidate for Secretary of State who checks the boxes for “strong leadership with successful experience in running a statewide agency with varied responsibilities.”

Read addressed the changes he would make to the office in his questionnaire with KOIN 6 News, stating he plans to build on Oregon’s legacy as “a national leader in elections policy” by pushing for programs like “satellite voting centers and services that alert voters that their ballots have been received and counted can help boost turnout and improve public trust in state government.”

Republican Dennis Linthicum

A current Oregon Senator for District 28 covering parts of Northeastern Jackson County, Southern Deschutes, and all of Klamath County, Linthicum claims his background as a government official and trained economist “uniquely positions [him] to unlock the full potential” of the Secretary of State’s office.

Linthicum, in his response to a KOIN 6 News questionnaire, said his focus would be on election integrity as well as “departments and agencies that have a statewide impact.” He said he will perform regular audits to “identify areas for improvement, ensure compliance with regulations, and optimize resource allocation.”

Linthicum was barred from seeking re-election as a state senator as he garnered at least 10 unexcused absences during the Republican-led walkout in 2023.

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