PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Kate Brown will serve as Oregon’s governor for another four years — her first full term in the position she assumed in 2015.
Brown celebrated her re-election Tuesday night by bringing a group of young people on stage with her, saying despite it being a school night, this election was about the future of Oregon.
“This election was truly about Oregon’s future and this is what it looks like and isn’t it beautiful?” Brown said.
Brown also celebrated that voters came together to fight for Oregon values.
“When our values are on the ballot, Oregonians will come together to fight like hell for what we believe in,” she said.
Brown is proud with the passing of measure 102 and failure of measures 105 and 106 that Oregon will continue to be a “welcoming and inclusive place for all.”
Brown said her first order of business will be to put together a state budget.
WATCH: Kate Brown’s victory speech
The former Secretary of State took over as governor when John Kitzhaber resigned on February 18, 2015.
Because she took over after the term of office began, she needed to stand for a special election in 2016 to serve the remaining 2 years of Kitzhaber’s term.
Brown was one of only two female Democratic governors in the United States until this election night. During her speech after winning the election, Brown celebrated that number being tripled.
Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkly also spoke at Brown’s election night party to celebrate her re-election and address the national Senate races.
But the campaign against Republican State Rep. Knute Buehler was not easy. In fact, it was a rematch of sorts: Buehler lost to Brown by 8 points in the 2012 Secretary of State race. He was first elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 2014 and is not running for re-election this time.
Buehler hoped to be Oregon’s first Republican governor in 30 years.
Watch: Knute Buehler’s concession speech
Buehler campaigned to fight to solve the homeless crisis, address the pension crisis and get better funding for education.
Buehler took to the stage to concede the election after Brown took an early lead to win the tight race.
Buehler said this is the time for Oregonians to unite and find common ground. He said significant challenges face the state and his campaign drew attention to those issues and elevated the voices of people who believe we can do better.
.@KnuteBuehler takes the stage, concedes to Gov. Brown. @KOINNews pic.twitter.com/qU1GnSoXNJ— Gabrielle Karol (@gabriellekarol) November 7, 2018
Buehler said he doesn’t know what’s next for him but it starts with a vacation.
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