Democrat Anthony Broadman defeated Republican rival Michael Summers in the race for Oregon Senate District 27 on Tuesday.

Broadman had 59.1% of the vote as of Wednesday morning, according to preliminary results. Summers had 40.8%.

Broadman flipped 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, both candidates portrayed themselves as centrist problem solvers who could work across party lines. But Broadman, a Bend city councilor, may have gotten a boost from Bend’s voter base, which has grown increasingly blue in recent years.

“Voters in Redmond and Bend and Sisters and everywhere in Deschutes County spoke loudly and clearly tonight that they want practical and efficient government,” Broadman said Tuesday night.

“I hope tonight signals an 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 councilor 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.

Summers, a small-business owner, called Broadman on Tuesday night to congratulate him on the election results.

“I am incredibly proud of the race that we ran, how we ran it with integrity and how we ran it with a positive message,” said Summers.

“I am grateful to the people of Central Oregon for casting their ballots for me.”

Summers said he will now refocus his efforts on his job as Redmond School Board chairman.

He does not rule out running again for public office.