The Short List, Round II

In the latest round of speculation on which Democrat would be best to replace retiring Congresswoman Darlene Hooley, Labor Commissioner Dan Gardner's name continues to surface. He is a former state legislator and House Minority Leader and has a reputation for compromise and the ability to unify his party. His labor background as an electrician with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) would likely garner him most of the crucial labor endorsements, which in this short of a primary campaign could put him over the top and keep him well-positioned for the general campaign.

Paul Evans is apparently putting together his campaign team already regardless of who runs in the primary. Sources to the Inside Edge indicate that he is actively pursuing Hooley's endorsement given that his wife, Joan Evans, is her current Chief of Staff.

The only other two candidates to keep the door open are Clackamas County Commissioner Martha Schrader and former state legislator Bryan Johnston.

The biggest question remaining is whether the DCCC will step in and clear the path for one candidate to coast through the primary or will they step aside and let the Democrats beat each other up until May, thus coming out with no money and having to start fresh in June.