Oregon Public Broadcasting

Democrats and Republicans are battling for control of the Oregon House in this November’s election.  That’s especially true in races where a seat is open due to a lawmaker's retirement.  

One legislative hopeful might have gotten a leg up on his opponent. That’s because he’s now the incumbent.  Salem correspondent Chris Lehman explains.

Republican Matt Wingard is running for the suburban Portland seat held by the retiring Jerry Krummel.

 At least, it was held by Krummel until last month, when he stepped down.

 That opened the door for Wingard to be appointed to serve out the last five months of Krummel’s term.  But Wingard says he doesn’t think being the incumbent will give him an advantage over Democrat Jessica Adamson.

Matt Wingard:  “Neither my opponent nor I are very well known across the district because people don’t know us.  And so we’ll just run the campaign that we had intended to run.”

Democrats wasted no time attacking Wingard for a six year old misdemeanor conviction for striking his son.  

House Majority Leader Dave Hunt called it a sad day for the Oregon legislature.  Wingard says his family has moved past the incident.  

Democrats hold a one-seat advantage in the Oregon House.