In Oregon, conservatives occassionally win in statewide elections. Most of the state is actually conservative. Unfortunately, Portland and Eugene the two liberal bastions generally turn out enough ballots to barely tip the elections to the democrats. However, the elections are generally very close. We actually tend to be moderately conservative on statewide ballot measures and such.
It seems that sea water makes for liberalism.....weird huh?
Oregon has always had Eugene and Portland to contend with, but they remained a fairly moderate state. Just in 2000, Bush only lost by a few thousand votes and it took 10 days to determine the final outcome. In 2004, Kerry won by 8 points. In 2008, Obama won by 13.
The influx of Californians fleeing the mess they’ve created is killing Oregon. It’s trended harder to the left in the last decade than any state in the country. I have family in southern Oregon (Roseburg area), which was always solidly conservative. Not so much anymore. It’s a shame, I love the place, but I don’t see any way of reversing its current course. Leftism attacks these states like stage 4 cancer... it’s nearly impossible to stop once it takes over.