Boquist retains state Senate seat

[UPDATED AT 10:30 P.M.]

Brian Boquist will represent District 12 seat in the Oregon Senate for a third term, after racing out to huge lead over his little-known Democratic rival, sheep rancher Ross Swartzendruber.

With about two-thirds of the vote tallied in the District's five counties — Benton, Polk, Marion, Yamhill and Washington — Boquist was leading by a commanding 32,042 to 19,374 or 62.25 percent to 37.75.

Swartzendruber ran for state representative in House District 23 in 2012. While unopposed in the primary, he was defeated by incumbent Republican Jim Thompson in the general election.

Boquist entered politics by running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Darlene Hooley, losing 57 percent to 43 in 2000 and 55 percent to 45 in 2002. Hooley weathered two more Republican challenges, by Jim Zupanic and Mike Erickson, before retiring from Congress in 2009.

Boquist lowered his sights, aiming for the Legislature instead of Congress.

When State Rep. Lane Shetterly stepped down in House District 23 in 2004, Republicans chose Jim Thompson to fill his unexpired term. But Boquist defeated Thompson the primary and went on to win the general election.

He was re-elected to the House in 2006. He was elected to the Senate in District 12 in 2008 and re-elected in 2012.

Boquist filed a complaint about his fellow Republican, House District 23 State Rep. Mike Nearman, with the Oregon Ethics Commission in 2014.

The commission found Nearman violated Oregon election law he provides incomplete information about his and his wife’s employers on his 2014 “Statement of Economic Interest." He avoided a fine by filing a new statement.