Wasco County, OR. — Democratic candidate Hank Sanders and Republican candidate Scott Hege emerged as the apparent winners Tuesday in the Oregon House District 52 primary elections, advancing to the November general election in a race expected to draw attention in the Columbia Gorge region.
In the Democratic primary, Sanders received 45.78% of the vote with 3,502 ballots cast in his favor. David Osborn finished second with 34.49% and 2,638 votes, followed by Nick Walden Poublon at 10.56% and Bernard R. Seeger at 8.35%.
On the Republican side, Wasco County Commissioner Scott Hege won decisively with 72.40% of the vote and 4,185 ballots. Darcy Lapier received 16.45%, while Robert M. Fleming earned 10.22%.
District 52 includes communities in the Columbia Gorge region, including Hood River and Wasco County areas.
Sanders’ campaign messaging centered heavily on opposition to President Donald Trump and progressive policy priorities. On his campaign website, Sanders highlighted his experience as a former New York Times reporter and Oregon Senate staff member, writing that he had “stood up to Trump” and helped pass progressive policies in Salem. He also tied his campaign launch to Trump’s second inauguration, stating it motivated him to “fight back” politically in rural Oregon.
Sanders framed issues such as affordability, wildfire concerns, and energy costs as central campaign themes, arguing that Oregon families are facing increasing economic and environmental pressures.
Hege’s campaign emphasized local government experience, economic development, and infrastructure priorities. A longtime Wasco County Commissioner and former executive director of the Port of The Dalles, Hege described his approach as focused on “practical priorities” including public safety, road maintenance, and economic growth.
On his campaign website, Hege highlighted his background in engineering, construction, and county government, while positioning himself as a “common-sense” conservative focused on strengthening rural communities and expanding family-wage job opportunities.
The general election will determine who succeeds the current representation for the district in the Oregon House.
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