This is a developing story and will be updated. Early returns indicate that U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, the Democratic incumbent in the 6th Congressional District, is poised to win reelection.  At 8 p.m., Salinas had 58% of the vote, compared with 41% for Republican Mike Erickson, according to the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office. Salinas also faced Erickson in 2022, but this time she is an incumbent, which usually comes with an advantage. She also outraised Erickson more than 10 times, with nearly $4.8 million by the end of September, compared to more than $459,000 for him. A millionaire, Erickson loaned his campaign more than $2.7 million last time but contributed little through most of this election, kicking in hundreds of thousands of dollars in the past few weeks. Salinas was one of Oregon’s first two Latina congresswomen elected in 2022 along with Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who represents the competitive 5th Congressional District. The 6th Congressional District, Oregon’s newest, includes Polk and Yamhill counties, urban Salem, southwestern suburbs of Portland and portions of Marion, Clackamas and Washington counties. During the campaign, Salinas, also a former state legislator, touted her record in Congress, which includes bills to aid the behavioral health system with more workers and programs. In a Congress that moved at a glacial pace, Salinas got one bill passed and signed into law: a bill that restores the right of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde to pursue land claims and compensation. Erickson, a businessman from Tigard who runs a logistics company, ran on a platform of reducing inflation for businesses and improving the economy. If Salinas’ lead holds, this will be Erickson’s fourth unsuccessful bid for a congressional seat. The race drew wide attention because the district was among a few targeted by Republicans hoping to increase their thin majority in the House. Nearly 31% of registered voters are Democrats, about 25% are Republicans and more than 37% are unaffiliated.  Two years ago, Salinas won 50% of the vote and Erickson 48%, while a  Constitution Party candidate won about 2%. Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: [email protected]. Follow Oregon Capital Chronicle on Facebook and Twitter. STORY TIP OR IDEA? Send an email to Salem Reporter’s news team: [email protected]. The post Salinas takes early lead in Oregon’s 6th Congressional District appeared first on Salem Reporter.