Shull, Fireside virtually tied in early returns for Clackamas County commissioner race

Mark Shull still holds a narrow lead over Melissa Fireside in the race for Clackamas County Board of Commissioners position 4, according to the latest returns, but a November runoff is all but certain.

Shull has collected 37.59% while Fireside, a Lake Oswego resident, has 36.22%, Oregon City resident Tina Irvine has 18% and Oregon City resident Rae Gordon has 8%. The ballots of about 28% of registered voters had been counted as of the late afternoon Thursday, May 23.

Anyone who receives over 50% of the vote will be elected outright. If no candidate receives over 50%, the top two will face off in a general election.

“It looks like Commissioner Shull and myself are going into the general election,” Fireside said after the initial results were posted Tuesday, May 21. “I want to thank my supporters and everyone who came out and supported democracy. It only works when we all participate and I’m very much looking forward to the general election in November.”

Shull did not respond to a request for comment.

Shull has served on the commission since 2021 while Gordon is a former employee of Mt. Hood Territory, Irvine is a board member for multiple nonprofits and Fireside is a small business owner in the construction industry.

This is Oregon’s second election cycle affected by the new postmark rule. Ballots dropped off by 8 p.m. Tuesday or postmarked by then will count. In 2022, county election offices received a large amount of ballots at the last minute, delaying the final results in some races.

This story will be updated.