Shocking Polls Reveal Which Candidates Are Gaining Ground—You Won’t Believe Who’s Leading!

As the May 19, 2026, primary election approaches, voters in Lane County will soon have a chance to weigh in on several city council races, ballot measures, and county-level positions. With filing deadlines for candidates having recently passed, this is an opportune moment to examine what’s at stake in Eugene and Springfield, as well as at the county level.

The deadline for city council incumbents to file for reelection passed on February 24 for Springfield and February 25 for Eugene. Non-incumbent candidates in both cities have until 5 p.m. on March 3 to submit their paperwork. The stakes are high; if a city council candidate secures over 50% of the votes in the primary, they will appear unopposed on the November general election ballot. If not, the top two candidates will compete again in November.

Key Races in Eugene

Half of Eugene’s City Council seats—specifically Wards 3, 4, 5, and 6—are up for election this year. Councilors serve four-year terms and earn an annual salary of approximately $22,000. Currently, three of the four races are contested, a notable shift from the previous cycle where three sitting councilors ran unopposed.

Ward 3

In Ward 3, incumbent Alan Zelenka, who has represented the University of Oregon area for five terms, has decided not to seek a sixth. John Barofsky, the owner of the Italian restaurant Beppe & Gianni’s and a commissioner for the Eugene Water & Electric Board, has filed to run for the seat and is currently unopposed.

Ward 4

Jennifer Yeh, appointed to the council in 2017, is running for her third full term in Ward 4. She works as a volunteer and development coordinator for Community Supported Shelters and represents Northeast Eugene. Yeh may face a challenge from Tom Stedman, a member of Eugene’s Toxics Board, who previously worked for Weyerhaeuser and the Army Corps of Engineers. He has filed initial paperwork but has not yet collected the necessary signatures to appear on the ballot.

Ward 5

Mike Clark, a mortgage specialist, is running for his sixth term in Ward 5, which includes Goodpasture Island, Cal Young, and Santa Clara neighborhoods. He faces two opponents: Athena Aguiar, a former field manager for Fund for the Public Interest, and Jasmine Hatmaker, also a mortgage specialist.

Ward 6

Greg Evans, a retired educator at Lane Community College, is running for his fourth term representing Ward 6, which covers northwest Eugene. He has one opponent so far: Tai Pruce-Zimmerman, a chess statistician.

Ballot Measures

In addition to the city council races, several significant ballot measures are also on the docket. One measure will ask voters whether to remove gendered pronouns from the city’s charter. Another measure proposes the elimination of the residency requirement for city department heads, allowing them to live outside Eugene city limits. Additionally, a measure will ask voters to approve a $4.3 million annual levy for five years to fund library operations and services.

Springfield's Contenders

Half of Springfield's six city council seats are up for election, specifically for Wards 1, 2, and 5. Councilors serve four-year terms without pay and must reside within the wards they represent. However, all Springfield voters can cast their votes for these positions.

Ward 1

Michelle Webber, a former commercial banker, is running for her second term representing Ward 1, located in northwest Springfield.

Ward 2

Steve Moe, the owner of Intercity Engineering, seeks a third term as the representative for Ward 2, which includes Glenwood.

Ward 5

Interim Councilor Andrew Buck, appointed in October to fill Victoria Doyle's position after her resignation, plans to run for election in Ward 5. This ward covers east Springfield between 42nd Street and Bob Straub Parkway. Meanwhile, the Ward 4 seat will be vacant until a new councilor is appointed in April, following Beth Blackwell’s resignation.

County-Level Races

At the county level, candidates for Lane County, state, and federal offices have until March 3 to file if they are incumbents, and until March 10 for non-incumbents. The Lane County Board of Commissioners, which oversees significant local governance, has three seats up for election. Incumbent Ryan Ceniga in District 1 is running unopposed for his second term. David Loveall in District 2 faces a challenge from Springfield Mayor Sean VanGordon, while Heather Buch in District 5 has two opponents: Jake Pelroy and Bob Zybach.

Ballot Measures and Judicial Elections

Several intriguing ballot measures are headed for a vote, including Measure 20-373, which aims to establish rights for watersheds and clean water. Additionally, the Lane Fire Authority plans to propose a levy increase for fire services, following the rejection of a similar measure last November.

In judicial elections, seven positions on the 17-member Lane County Circuit Court are up for grabs. Five incumbent judges, including Bradley A. Cascagnette and Kamala H. Shugar, have filed for reelection, with none facing challengers so far. This election cycle also includes appointments that require newly appointed judges to run for their seats.

As the political landscape in Lane County continues to evolve, local voters will have the opportunity to shape their communities through these essential elections and measures. Mark your calendars for May 19, 2026, and prepare to make your voice heard.