US Energy Crisis

Oregon voters are facing a familiar theme on their primary ballot: well-financed Democratic incumbents looking to slide past little-known challengers while Republicans attempt to nominate candidates who could put up a fight in November in a heavily blue state. But Tuesday's biggest drama revolves around a referendum to repeal a plan passed last fall by the Democratic-controlled Legislature that raised the state gas tax and hiked a series of fees. Republicans placed the referendum on the ballot and are trying to capitalize on having it go before voters at a time when prices at the pump are skyrocketing.