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OREGON PRIMARY: STATEWIDE RACES Richardson eyes a political comeback Brown will face Pierce for governor Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted May. 17, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated May 17, 2016 at 11:35 PM By The Associated Press Posted May. 17, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated May 17, 2016 at 11:35 PM » Social News Dennis Richardson, an unsuccessful GOP gubernatorial candidate two years ago, has staged a political comeback by defeating Lane County Commissioner Sid Leiken in the Republican primary for Oregon secretary of state. With 65 percent of the vote counted, Richardson, a Central Point Republican, was way ahead of his opponent at 78 percent. Two years ago, Richardson made a run for governor and lost to incumbent John Kitzhaber. During that campaign, Richardson repeatedly drew attention to an ethics scandal that ultimately brought down Kitzhaber. Votes were still being counted in the Democratic primary for secretary of state, with Brad Avakian leading Val Hoyle 39 percent to 34 percent. Also, political newcomer Bud Pierce, a Salem doctor, has defeated four other candidates in the Republican primary for governor. Pierce was tallying about 48 percent of the vote and is poised for a tough general election race against Democratic incumbent Gov. Kate Brown, who easily won her party's nomination against five lesser-known candidates. Pierce's toughest primary opponent was businessman Allen Alley, who was the only candidate with political experience. He unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for governor in 2010. Both Pierce and Brown are fighting to serve out the remaining two years of former Gov. John Kitzhaber's term — a post Brown assumed in February 2015 when Kitzhaber resigned amid influence-peddling allegations. With 60 percent of the vote counted, Brown was far ahead of her opponents with nearly 85 percent of the tally. It marks Brown's first run for the governorship she inherited last year after her predecessor quit amid a federal investigation, and she was so confident she'd win the primary that she hardly campaigned. Brown's Democratic rivals were an ICU physician, an environmental engineer, a home care worker, a Walmart employee and a truck driver. Meanwhile, voters in an Eastern Oregon county have rejected a ballot measure that aimed to rescind a ban on marijuana production and sales. With all the votes in from Grant County, 53.5 percent rejected the measure. Grant County Judge Scott Myers had said last week that he would be more than surprised if it passed in the largely conservative eastern county. Voters in Klamath County faced a similar ballot measure on Tuesday. There, with 60 percent of the vote counted, 58 percent had voted against requiring the county to allow "state-approved licenses, allowing medical dispensaries, retail farms and retail sales to conduct business." Shortly after Oregon voters decided in 2014 to legalize marijuana, the state allowed cities and counties to ban marijuana production and sales where at least 55 percent of voters opposed legalization. Over 100 cities and counties have since "opted out," according to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted May. 17, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated May 17, 2016 at 11:35 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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