Election 2022: Gwyn leads in race for South Salem spot on City Council
Deanna Gwyn appears to have a slight lead over Dynee Medlock in the race to represent Ward 4 on Salem City Council, according to early election results.
With just six votes separating the candidates in the May primary election, the two South Salem residents headed to a rare runoff race to be decided during the November election.
More:Oregon election: Voters decide on governor, Senate, more
During the May election, Dynee Medlock garnered the most votes — 2,554 to Deanna Gwyn's 2,548 — but did not win enough to provide the 50%-plus-one vote margin needed to win the primary outright. The narrow margin, paired with 13 write-in votes, meant Medlock and Gwyn would need to square off again in the general election.
Read more about the candidates:Election 2022: South Salem City Council seat to be decided in rare runoff election
Most city council elections in Salem are resolved in May. According to Statesman Journal archives, the last time a council race went to a November runoff was in 2002 in Ward 8. Before that, Ward 2 went to runoff in 1994.
If the general election final results yield a similarly narrow margin, it could trigger a recount. The Marion County Clerk's Office conducts an automatic hand recount if the margin is within 0.2%.
The early results showed a lead significantly larger than that small margin.
Salem's southernmost ward is currently represented by Councilor Jackie Leung, who opted to not seek reelection.
Gwyn, a real estate broker, moved to Ward 4 in 2021 but has lived in the Salem area since high school.
She listed homelessness, public safety and affordable housing as key issues facing the city. She also has called for more police officers on staff to address safety and crime concerns in the city.
Medlock, a network specialist, has lived in the Salem area for 14 years.
She said as a mom of two school-aged children, she wants safe neighborhoods and clean parks as well as progress in addressing the homelessness crisis and easing the lack of affordable housing. She said other key issues facing the city include investing in infrastructure like safe streets and sidewalks and supporting small businesses.
For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Gwyn leads Medlock in race for South Salem city council spot
