Magruder continues to lead early Columbia County election results, but November runoff may be required

As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, Margaret Magruder is maintaining her lead for Columbia County Commission Position 1, gaining 48% of the vote to 39.6% for Alex Tardif and Brian Brust with 12%. For Position 3, Casey Garrett is unchallenged with 95.6% of the vote.

Even with her lead, the top two candidates are likely to head to a runoff election in November, if neither receives 50% of the certified vote come June.

Oregon law allows for ballots postmarked on Election Day to be counted if received within the following week.

Magruder is seeking a third term on the Columbia County Board of Commissioners, while Tardif and Brust are challenging her for the new 4-year term, beginning Jan. 1.

Magruder is in the last year of her second term on the county commission. Tardif is executive director of the Columbia Pacific Food Bank and Brust has served as a member of the county’s planning commission since September 2022.

Meanwhile, Casey Garrett is running unopposed for the Position 3 seat. He is seeking another 4-year term which would also begin Jan. 1.

“I am humbled and honored to continue doing my job,” Garrett said following initial election results Tuesday night. “I enjoy (the position). I’m looking forward to working over the next four years.”

Pamplin Media Group will continue to update this story as more current election results become available. The election results will be certified as final June 17.