For the last time in her nearly 20-year career, outgoing Clackamas County Clerk Sherry Hall certified the final results of the November 8 general election earlier this week.
Challenger Catherine McMullen handily defeated Hall in the two-way race for clerk, garnering 64.54%, or 110,028 votes. Voter participation in the county clerk contest was 55.17%, while overall turnout in Clackamas County was reported at 69.05% for this election.
“I again want to thank my supporters, volunteers, family, and everyone who voted in this election and actively participated in our democracy,” the clerk-elect said in a press release. “I look forward to taking office in January. Voters can count on my leadership to deliver timely, transparent, accessible, and accurate elections.”
McMullen, a West Linn resident who has served as an election administrator for Multnomah County since 2015, will begin her term on January 3, 2023. A ceremonial swearing-in will be held in early January and the public is welcome to attend.
In other final results, Canby voters opted for a new direction, electing newcomer Jim Davis, the community’s longtime fire chief, and Herman Maldonado with 4,581 (23.56%) and 2,907 (14.97%), respectively, and re-electing Councilor Shawn Varwig (3,274, 16.86%).
Incumbent Greg Parker lost his re-election bid by fewer than 100 votes, with 2,819 (14.52%), and incumbent Art Marine was also defeated with 2,528 (13.02%). Challengers Craig Lewelling (2,106, 10.84%) and Brad Clark (1,097, 5.65%) rounded out the seven-way race.
County voters also wanted change, re-electing Commissioner Paul Savas by a comfortable margin over challenger Libra Forde (97,808 to 75,548), but denying Commissioner Sonya Fischer’s bid for a second term, with Wilsonville City Councilor Ben West narrowly defeating her, 86,644 to 84,962.
The complete Clackamas County results from last month’s midterms are available on the clerk’s website here.
