Clackamas County Election Results 2016: A Look at Some Key Races

COUNTYWIDE

Perhaps the biggest issue facing the residents of Clackamas County are the miles and miles of roads that are either in fair or poor condition. Voters had a chance to approve a six cent per gallon gas tax that the county believed will only cost drivers $22 each year. Ninety percent of the money would go for paving. The measure needed 62 percent of the voters to say yes. It didn't happen and the measure was defeated.

Voters across the county are also being asked to approve renewing a levy that is used to help pay for jail beds and the salaries of 18 patrol deputies and nine detectives. It passed by 3-1.

Meanwhile, voters in the North Clackamas School District are being asked to vote for a measure that fund around $433 million in school construction and safety projects. It basically extends a levy that had been in place and helped build Rock Creek Middle School. It passed by nearly 3-1.

County voters also have two contested races for the County Commission. Former Milwaukie Mayor Jim Bernard, a longtime member of the County Commission, defeated current chair John Ludlow and Ken Humberston unseated Tootie Smith.

LAKE OSWEGO

The race for mayor is one of the few truly contested races in the county. Mayor Kent Studebaker, who grew up there, wanted a second term. He faces a tough race from business owner and member of the Lake Oswego City Council, Jon Gustafson. Studebaker won by about 1,400 votes - 47.8 percent to 29.6 percent.

City residents were also asked to consider ballot measures: one that would prohibit certain marijuana production and sales facilities in the city (it passed) one asking them to give their opinion on whether the city should build its own fiber optic broadband network (they said no).

WILSONVILLE

City residents are being asked to keep in place a ban on marijuana business within the city limits. It was expected to pass and it did. Meanwhile, they rejected a proposal for bonds for a new recreational and aquatic center.

Mayor Tim Knapp was reelected. As he was running unopposed, he won.

OREGON CITY

The city's urban renewal program may be on its way out as a measure to dismantle it was leading in the vote. Residents also passed a tax on recreational marijuana and rejected a measure that would have prevented the city registering marijuana businesses and issuing licenses.

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