In a Night of Blowouts, Portland House District Nearly A Dead Heat

Candidates vying to succeed Portland's only African-American lawmaker locked in tight battle.

By Nigel Jaquiss

Roberta Phillip-Robbins and Tawna Sanchez, the two principal candidates seeking to replace state Rep. Lew Frederick (D-North/Northeast Portland) in House District 43, remained in a tight race at 9:30 Tuesday night.

Phillip-Robbins, until recently a gang violence prevention worker at Multnomah County, held a slim lead over Sanchez, the acting executive director of the Native American Youth and Family Center 49.3 percent to 47.7 percent.

Willamette Week

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Roberta Phillip-RobbinsTawna Sanchez

Nigel Jaquiss

Nigel Jaquiss

Reporter Nigel Jaquiss joined the Oregon Journalism project in 2025 after 27 years at Willamette Week.

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