Dan Rayfield leading in early returns for Oregon attorney general Democratic nomination

Former Oregon House Speaker Dan Rayfield was leading in the race for the Democratic nomination for Oregon's attorney general, according to initial primary election results Tuesday.

Rayfield sent a celebratory statement based on the initial results thanking his opponent, Shaina Maxey Pomerantz for a "respectful campaign" and the "opportunity to debate important issues." He said he would continue to discuss his "proven track record" and vision.

"This election has been a great opportunity to talk with people in communities across the state about our shared values and the most important priorities for the next Attorney General," Rayfield said. "As we move to the general election, I will continue to offer a clear vision of keeping Oregonians safe, strengthening our justice system to make it more accountable and fair, standing up for consumers, seniors and children, and protecting our rights from national threats, including on reproductive health and abortion rights."

The winner of the primary election will face the winner of the Republican primary — either Michael Cross or Will Lathrop — in the November general election to replace Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum. She announced in September that she would not see a fourth term.

Rayfield announced he was running for attorney general in October Pomerantz filed on the last day allowed.

Rayfield, a Willamette University College of Law graduate, was elected to the Oregon House in 2014. Before being elected to the Oregon Legislature, he worked for 18 years as a private attorney.

If elected as attorney general, he said he would prioritize supporting working families, protecting Oregonians’ values and policies from national threats, and keeping communities safe.

Pomerantz graduated from Southern University Law Center and was a former civil rights investigator for the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries. She received a $425,000 settlement from BOLI in December from a racial discrimination lawsuit.

She now works as executive director of RACE TALKS, a Portland-based nonprofit. In her voter's pamphlet, she described herself as “the people’s champion” who believes “every Oregonian deserves equal opportunity and representation that is community-based and consumer friendly.” She did not respond to questions from the Statesman Journal.

Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on Twitter @DianneLugo

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Rayfield leading in Oregon attorney general Democratic race