PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Challenger Ron Maurer has conceded to incumbent Susan Castillo in the race for Oregon superintendent of public instruction.
Last week, the secretary of state’s office said final vote tallies from Oregon’s county clerks showed Democrat Castillo had gathered more votes in the May 18 primary than she needed to avoid a runoff in the nonpartisan race. State figures show she got 50.02 percent of the vote.
Maurer is a Republican state representative from Grants Pass. He said Wednesday it was time to end his effort, particularly because he couldn’t afford a statewide recount that might cost as much as $125,000. He says the close race means Oregonians are looking for more dramatic changes in the schools system.
Castillo says the voters want her “out there fighting to protect the quality of public education.”
