Rep. Smith has the lead in early returns
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, May 19th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
SALEM – State Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner) is in a close race to retain his 57th District seat in Salem. He has 3,037 votes while his challenger, Morrow County cattle rancher Jim Doherty has 2,500 in early returns.
Smith won in both Morrow and Umatilla counties. In his home county he had early returns of 884 votes to Doherty’s 520. In Umatilla County he had 1,323 votes to Doherty’s 921. The incumbent is also winning in Wheeler County with 116 votes to 86 for Doherty.
Meanwhile, the challenger is not without support. In Gilliam County Doherty leads Smith with 227 votes to 192. In Jefferson County, 73 have voted for Doherty while 60 voted for Smith. Doherty leads in Sherman County with 307 votes to 128. Wasco County voters also chose Doherty 386 to 355.
