Flynn concedes to Salinas in 6th Congressional District for Democrats
PORTLAND, Ore. — Political newcomer Carrick Flynn has conceded the race for the Democratic nomination in Oregon's new 6th Congressional District to state Rep. Andrea Salinas.
Early vote returns Tuesday night had Salinas leading Flynn by a large margin, 38% to 19%.
"Thank you to my supporters. Obviously, these are not the results we were hoping to see tonight. I congratulate State Representative Andrea Salinas on her victory and offer my full support," Flynn said in a tweet. "I will be out there knocking on doors and calling voters as a volunteer for her campaign."
Flynn's concession, however, came before significant results were released from Marion County, which the 6th District encompasses.
For that reason, KATU’s political analyst Jim Moore, with Pacific University, said he was surprised Flynn conceded without votes reported from that county.
“Now, he may look at it, and this may speak to him being a first-time candidate and not knowing when to wait,” he said.
A lot of attention has been paid to this district because it is new, which means the seat is open for the taking, and a lot of money has been dumped into it by out-of-state groups. This has been especially true on the Democrats’ side.
Flynn, 35, rose to prominence chiefly through TV ads paid for by a PAC backed by a 30-year-old cryptocurrency billionaire, Sam Bankman Fried. That PAC, Protect Our Future, has spent over $10 million on behalf of Flynn’s campaign.
House Majority PAC also chipped in $1 million to support Flynn, which rankled the other Democrats in the race.
Flynn grew up in rural Vernonia, Oregon, where his family was homeless for a time when the floods of 1996 destroyed his home.
State Rep. Andrea Salinas was also backed by a PAC, BOLD PAC, the House Hispanic Caucus. It dished out $1 million in support.
Salinas is the daughter of a Mexican immigrant. Her father worked to get his family into the middle class, and, she says, fighting for working families is central to her campaign.
Former Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith is also in this race. She wants to be the first Black woman from Oregon elected to Congress.
Other Democrats in this race, Cody Reynolds, and Matt West both made a fortune in cryptocurrency. Both have written themselves checks to fund their campaigns, notably Reynolds, who donated $2 million to his own campaign.
Kathleen Harder has been a physician for 30 years and has focused her campaign on “building a healthier Oregon.”
Teresa Alonso Leon grew up in the now 6th Congressional District and has been active in politics, sitting on the Woodburn City Council and serving as a state representative.
Republican Race
On the Republicans side, the race in the 6th Congressional District has been far quieter.
Ron Noble is likely the best known, as he is a state representative and was a police officer in McMinnville and then served as its police chief. But he was trailing Mike Erickson, 34% to 21% in early returns Tuesday.
Erickson owns AFMS LLC, Supply Chain & Logistics Consulting, which helps with supply-chain issues.
Nathan Sandvig, a graduate of West Point combat veteran in Iraq, is an energy executive.
Amy Ryan Courser served on the Keizer City Council and is a businesswoman and author.
David Russ grew up in southern California and is an accountant, real estate broker, and consultant.
The other candidates are Angela Plowhead and Jim Bunn.