Election 2022: Republicans take big leads in Marion County commissioner races

Incumbent Republicans Kevin Cameron and Colm Willis hold significant leads in their races to remain Marion County commissioners, according to early results.

And in the one contested race for Marion County judge, deputy district attorney Amy Queen, who drew public support from a more conservative base, leads incumbent Erious Johnson Jr., whose endorsements leaned more liberal.

Board of Commissioners

Cameron, a Republican, leads newcomer Democrat Andrew Dennis by a large margin.

Cameron has been on the Marion County Board of Commissioners since being appointed in 2014. This is his third election for the position.

“I’m honored that I continue to have the support of the majority of the people in Marion County,” Cameron said. “I think the job of an elected official is to represent all the citizens, not just the ones who voted for them. I will continue to do the best I can to the best of my ability.”

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Cameron said his priorities in his next four years in office include the Santiam Canyon sewer project, the completion of the Donald-Aurora interchange and continued recovery from the 2020 Labor Day wildfires.

"The job now feels a little bit more back to normal, but with COVID, wildfires, ice storms, all those emergencies, I’m smiling because we survived that, but it’s caused a lot of extra work and we’ve got a great team of employees and leaders at Marion County," he said. "I’m hopeful that they can see some light and get a breath of fresh air."

Willis, also a Republican, leads Democrat Mark Wigg by a large margin.

Willis is seeking a second term. He was first elected to the position in 2018.

“Well, I’m grateful,” Willis said. “It looks like the voters are going to give me an opportunity to serve a second term.”

Willis said his primary goal is rebuilding the Santiam Canyon from wildfire damage.

He said the commissioners had a work session on the Gates and Mill City sewer system Tuesday, and it likely will take the entirety of the next four years to complete that project.

“We do have a public safety problem on our hands and I hope that no matter who wins, we have lots of different races, I hope that we can all get together after this election no matter the party and get that under control,” Willis said.

The third position on the board, which is held by Republican Danielle Bethell, will be up for election again in 2024.

Marion County judge

Deputy district attorney Amy Queen leads incumbent Erious Johnson Jr., in the rare contested race for Marion County Circuit Court Judge.

While this position is nonpartisan, the race became political. Many of Johnson's endorsements come from Democrats, while Queens' tend to be Republican.

Johnson is former civil rights and criminal defense attorney. When she appointed Johnson, Brown highlighted his active role in the community. He mentors law students, volunteers for the classroom law project, serves as a volunteer fee arbitrator through the Oregon State Bar, and is a frequent speaker and writer on topics related to civil rights.

Queen is a prosecutor in the Marion County District Attorney's Office. While serving as deputy district attorney, Queen said, she prosecuted every type of crime, including aggravated murder, and was promoted to the trial team leader on the Domestic Violence Team and became the office's public information officer.

She said she's worked hard to provide support and leadership in the community, volunteering with Meals on Wheels and the Oregon State Bar New Lawyer Mentor Program and serving on the Salem Police Department Domestic Violence Response Team, the Marion County Dispute Resolution Committee and the Marion County Domestic Violence Council.

Bill Poehler covers Marion County for the Statesman Journal. Contact him at bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Election 2022: Republicans lead in Marion County races