Jo Rae Perkins, Who Subscribes to the QAnon Conspiracy Theory, Won 24 of Oregon’s 36 Counties on Election Night

Perkins lost to the incumbent, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) by 57% to 39%.

SHE PERSISTED: Since 2014, Jo Rae Perkins has run unsuccessfully for three congressional races. (Ellen Bishop, Wallowa Chieftan)
By Tess Riski

Jo Rae Perkins, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate who espouses the QAnon conspiracy theory ("Qregon," WW, Sept. 30, 2020), won in 24 of Oregon's 36 counties in the Nov. 3 election.

Perkins lost to the incumbent, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) by 57% to 39%.

Her higher vote counts in the majority of Oregon counties—most of which are in Southern and Eastern Oregon—could simply be a reflection of GOP strongholds in those regions where residents automatically vote Republican.

Although Perkins, a perennial candidate, received scant backing from traditional GOP donors and groups, her percentage of the vote still rivaled that of more mainstream candidates.

State Sen. Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer), who ran for secretary of state, won in 28 counties statewide, losing to fellow Sen. Shemia Fagan (D-Portland) with 43% of the vote. Jeff Gudman, the Republican nominee for Oregon treasurer, won the same 28 counties as Thatcher, but got just 41% of the vote in his loss to incumbent Tobias Read.

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