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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022

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Taylor inches ahead in commissioner’s race The outcome mirrors the results of the May primary, where Cribbins opened a big lead on Election Day, and Taylor gained ground as the later votes were counted. Under state law, the final tally will not be released until Wednesday. The law gives the clerk’s office seven day to count ballots that were postmarked by Election Day. According to a schedule released by the clerk’s office, no more results will be released before the final unofficial tally Wednesday. Cribbins, who has held the commissioner’s seat for 10 years, is hoping to

By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

The race for Coos County commissioner, position 3, remains too close to call, but challenger Rod Taylor has taken the lead after votes turned in by Election Day were counted. In the tally released by the Coos County clerk’s office Wednesday, Taylor has received 14,142 votes, or 50.15%, to 13,982 votes for incumbent Melissa Cribbins. Cribbins has received 49.58% of the vote. There were 77 write-in votes in the race as well.

be elected to a third full-term in office. During the campaign, she claimed her experience in government and ability to work well with other elected officials made her the right choice. Taylor, a private businessman from Bandon, campaigned by saying Coos County needs to stand up to state and federal mandates that he says pull the county down. While Taylor said he is pleased to have the lead, he said it is too close to claim victory. He explained there are Please see TAYLOR Page A4

Millicoma students honor local veterans Wright,

Brock Smith coast to re-election

By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

Photos by David Rupkalvis/For The World

Students and staff at Millicoma School restarted a school tradition Wednesday when dozens of local veterans came to the school for a veteran’s breakfast and a ceremony honoring those who have served our country. Students in all grades at the school sang songs for the veterans, while U.S. Air Force vet Tara Moore spoke about her service and how it impacted her life.

Engelke extends lead in North Bend mayor’s race By DAVID RUPKALVIS For The World

Jessica Engelke appears to have captured her second term as mayor of North Bend. After the Coos County clerk’s office released the vote total received by Election Day, Engelke has opened nearly a 300-vote lead over her challenger, former Mayor John Briggs. According to the totals released by the clerk’s office, Engelke has received 2,189 votes, or 53.39%, to 1,895 votes, or 46.22% for Briggs. State law allows the clerk’s office to count ballots received within seven days of the election as long as they were postmarked by Election Day. There is no indication how many ballots that will be, but the likelihood of enough votes from North Bend residents coming in to change the results is very slim. In the race for North Bend City Council, the top three have not changed since Election Day. Jenny Jones continues to lead the way with 2,110 votes, or 26.6%, with

Barbara Schultz second with 2,096 votes, or 26.42%, and incumbent Larry Garboden third with 1,896 votes, or 23.9%. John Ezra Scheirman is fourth with 1,695 votes, or 21.37%. The top three finishers will be seated on the council. Incumbents Timm Slater and Bill Richardson chose not to run for re-election. In Powers, Robert Kohn has won the race for mayor after receiving 207 votes to 157 for Robert Baker. In the race for city council, Kathy Rector (317 votes), James C. Adamek (286 votes) and Bill Holland (165 votes) appear to have won seats. Debbie North finished fourth with 157 votes. In Lakeside, Alan G. Pointer (540 votes), Sara Coats (533 votes) and Alicia Douglas look to have won seats on the city council. Mary Kenyon (381 votes) and Shauleen Higgins (318 votes) finished outside the top three spots needed to claim a council seat. Coquille, Coos Bay, Bandon and Photo by David Rupkalvis/For The World Myrtle Point also held elections, but North Bend Mayor Jessica Engelke hands out T-shirts while campaigning for re-election. none of the seats were contested. Engelke appears to have won her second term as mayor.

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Republicans will continue to represent Coos County in the state Legislature after voters re-elected Boomer Wright and David Brock Smith to the house of representatives. Wright, who represents Coos Bay, North Bend and Reedsport among other areas, rolled to a relatively easy victory over Jerry Rust in the 9th District. Wright, who was first elected two years ago, received 19,498 votes districtwide, or 59.96%, while Rust had 12,967 votes, or 39.87%. In Coos County, the margin was even greater with Wright receiving 10,908 votes, or 63.21%, to 6,304, or 36.53% for Rust. The 9th District has historically been a swing district and has elected Democrats and Republicans in recent years. Heading into the 2022 election, party affiliation gave Republicans a 2% lead, but Wright easily won. “It’s wonderful,” Wright said Thursday. “I’m encouraged by the advances we made.” While Democrats will continue to control the Legislature, Wright said Republicans made small increases. In the state House, 25 Republicans have won seats, up from 23 two years ago, with three races still undecided. In the Senate, Republican gained one seat, moving from 15 to 16. “That will give us a little more ability to work with the Democrats, and that’s a positive,” Wright said. Wright said he was not surprised he and Brock Smith won easily, saying it’s a sign that people outside of Portland, Salem and Eugene are fed up with the state leadership. “There has been a marked change,” he said. “I think that people feel the coast is not getting what they deserve, and the super majority is not giving them what they need.” Wright said he is already working for the legislative session that will begin early next year. He has submitted 11 bills and expects to submit five more. “It’s nice to be re-elected because I can do a lot between now and December, especially talking to Democrats,” Wright said. “You work with people, and that’s important.” Brock Smith rolled to an even more dominant win in the 1st District, which includes all of Curry County and part of Coos County. Brock Smith earned another twoyear term in office with 23,037 votes, or 69.83%, to 9.861 votes, or 29.89% for Bret Cecil. The total vote was almost identical to the percentages in Coos County as Brock Smith received 8,620 votes, or 69.83%, to 3,686 votes, or 29.86%, for Cecil.

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