Anthony Broadman, left, and Michael Summers are running for state Senate.

Democrat Anthony Broadman was outpacing his Republican rival and Redmond School Board chair Michael Summers in the race for Oregon Senate District 27.

Broadman was winning 59.9% to 40.1% for Summers as of Nov. 6.

Broadman is looking to flip the seat currently held by Republican Tim Knopp, R-Bend. Knopp was ineligible to run for the seat due to missing too many legislative floor sessions after leading a Republican walkout last year.

During the campaign for the state senate seat both candidates portrayed themselves as centrist problem solvers who could work across party lines. But Broadman, a Bend city council member, may have gotten a boost from Bend’s voter base, which has grown increasingly blue in recent years.

Broadman was confident that the results would hold and he will win the seat. 

“Voters in Redmond and Bend and Sisters and everywhere in Deschutes County spoke loudly and clearly tonight that they want practical and efficient government,” said Broadman. “I hope tonight signals and end to walkouts for good and a refocus on good, practical government.”

Broadman said he is excited to take on a new challenge if the results hold.

“I am proud that our campaign brought together Republicans and Democrats and Independents … I look forward to serving every Oregonian, regardless of who they voted for.”

Broadman, 45, started his career as a journalist, working for newspapers in Vietnam and Arizona. He later attended law school and after moving to Bend set up a law firm representing Tribal governments, Indigenous rights and tribal business.

As a city council member in Bend he said victories include increasing housing for educators and addressing homelessness in Central Oregon. He is going to Salem with a goal of making Central Oregon more affordable for working class families.

Despite Broadman’s lead, Summers was hopeful he could catch up.

“It’s early, man. It’s early. We are super positive. This has been an incredible race and the night is young. We’ll get there,” he said. 

Summers, a small business owner and Redmond School District board member, tried to distance himself from Knopp during the campaign, saying he was not in favor of walkouts and if elected he intended to work with Democrats on solutions.