Dave Hunt, former Oregon House speaker arrested in prostitution sting, wins landslide reelection to Clackamas Community College board

Former Oregon House Speaker Dave Hunt sailed to victory in his bid for another term on the Clackamas Community College board of directors Tuesday night, capturing 97% of the vote weeks after his arrest as part of a Portland police prostitution sting.

Hunt, now a lobbyist, was arrested last month after allegedly soliciting sex from an undercover officer.

He was one of eight men arrested during the sting operation.

Hunt, a Democrat, took a leave of absence from his board duties after his arrest made headlines. The incident prompted David Kays, a Lincoln High School music teacher who lives in Milwaukie, to mount a write-in campaign to unseat the two-term incumbent.

Kays launched his campaign days after news broke of Hunt’s arrest, which was first reported by Pamplin Media.

Kays touted his credentials as an educator and said he was running for the seat because the incumbent was “experiencing some complex legal issues.”

Compared to the 2,153 voters who supported Hunt, just 162 voters wrote in a choice other than Hunt, many of them likely opting for Kays. That represented 3% of those who cast ballots in the race.

Another 1,700 voters who live in Hunt’s district and cast a ballot by Tuesday’s deadline didn’t vote for him or write in another choice, Clackamas election results show.

–Eder Campuzano | 503-221-4344 | @edercampuzano | Eder on Facebook

Eder is The Oregonian’s education reporter. Do you have a tip about Portland Public Schools? Email ecampuzano@oregonian.com.

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