Wally Edge's blog

The Oregonian has endorsed GOP State Rep. John Lim for re-election, and wants Democrat Suzanne Van Orman to replace retiring Republican Patti Smith's seat.  The newspaper is backing John Nelsen to replace Karen Minnis in District 49.  Click here to read the editorial.

It was only a matter of time until incumbent Republican Senator Gordon Smith pulled out the Matthew Shepard ad in his race against Democrat Jeff Merkley.  Shepard was an openly gay student at the University of Wyoming who was kidnapped and murdered in 1998 by two youths who opposed Shepard's sexuality.

Avoiding the press when running for office can cost you politically.  When you cannot answer questions about why you want to represent constituents one of the highest held offices in the country you end up on PolitickerOR.com's Losers list.  And we're not talking about Sarah Palin.

Despite not having any serious challenge this campaign season, state Senator Mark Hass is running a one minute television ad on prime time television asking voters to restore what he calls "uniquely Oregon values."

Should Democrat Kurt Schrader make it to congress the looming question is who will fill his vacant spot in the Oregon Senate?  Oregon law mandates someone from the incumbent member’s party be chosen, so we know it will be a Democrat.  Names currently being thrown around include House Majority Leader Dave Hunt, County Commissioners Lynn Peterson and Martha Schrader (wife of the congressional candidate), and Democratic House candidate Toby Forsberg.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee's ad:

Senate Democrats drew a great sigh of relief last March when the filing deadline for legislative candidates came and went and no opposition appeared for any of their vulnerable candidates, particularly Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson of Gresham.  However, that sigh may have been somewhat premature when Republican Dave Kim won a GOP write-in nomination in May.

There are only two scheduled US Senate debates between Democrat Jeff Merkley and incumbent Republican Gordon Smith in the next five weeks.  The first will take place on October 9 on KGW and the second on October 13 on KOBI.  The Merkley camp committed to more debates but Smith's team refused.  Smith agreed to an impromptu debate on September 19, but Merkley refused.  In the brief two debates watched by Oregon voters let's hope they leave the hot dogs and golf clubs at home.

Republican state treasurer candidate Allen Alley boosts of his financial experience while telling Democrat opponent Ben Westlund "this is no time for on the job training."  No mention of his own financial failures.

In the race for control of the Oregon House of Representatives, Democrats have a strategy of keeping targeted incumbent Republicans busy (who will likely win their respective re-election campaigns) so they can move in on the toss up races to stiffen their majority by possibly two to five seats.  Majority Leader Dave Hunt has recruited strong candidates and raised enough money to keep GOP Reps. Chuck Burley and Linda Flores on their toes this election season.