Oregon Public Broadcasting

An incumbent survived a third term in one of the tightest major races in Oregon's  primary Tuesday night.

Susan Castillo narrowly defeated state representative Ron Maurer in the race for superintendent of public instruction.

Castillo says the close contest won't lead to any policy shifts. But she says the campaign has taught her she should be more outspoken about what's happening in the state's public schools.

Castillo: "It is a strong message that I need to help Oregonians understand what we are doing in our schools that is leading to better progress for all of our children, and how we are using the resources that they're giving us."

Ron Maurer has not conceded the race. His campaign continues to track the results.

Maurer won many of the state's rural counties, as well as a handful of Willamette Valley counties, including Clackamas and Marion.

Castillo won some of Oregon's most populated counties, like Multnomah, Washington, and Lane.