Karen Minnis

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.

U.S. Rep. Darlene Hooley (D-West Linn) announced Thursday she would be endorsing state Sen. Ben Westlund (D-Tumalo) in Oregon’s State Treasurer’s race.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Oregon state Rep. Ron Mauer (R-Grants Pass) said Monday that he was very excited that Republican presidential candidate John McCain (R-Ariz.) picked Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) as his vice presidential candidate.

So Karen Minnis had $20,500 in leftover campaign funds with restrictions on how she could use it, and now she has $15,800 that is simply hers to spend.

What am I missing?

State House Republican Leader Bruce Hanna (R-Roseburg) responded harshly to House Majority leader Dave Hunt’s (D-Clackamas) assertion that fundraising actions taken by state Rep. Karen Minnis (R-Wood Village) to give money out of her campaign contributions to candidates that have hired her on as a consultant were possibly unethical.

Reynolds School Board Chair John Nelsen has entered the race for State Representative in House District 49.  He is seeking the seat being vacated by Rep. Karen Minnis, who is retiring after five terms. “I am running to make sure that our community receives the resources needed to ensure effective schools and nurturing, safe neighborhoods in which our kids and families can thrive,” Nelsen said. 

Go to the Oregon Republican Party website, click on "candidates" and you will find one category noticeably absent.  There are zero declared Republican candidates for three major statewide offices including Treasurer, Attorney General and the much coveted and political office of Secretary of State.

Given the blue leaning tendencies of Oregon voters in the past few election cycles it is understandable why GOP politicians are somewhat gun-shy (pun intended) about jumping into an Oregon statewide campaign.  However, with their golden boy U.S. Senator Gordon Smith at the top of the ticket and a free pass in the primary campaign one wonders why no Republican has shown even an inkling of interest in running even if only for name recognition or party-building purposes.  Party spokeswoman Brianne Hyder recently claimed a "very strong candidate" for the SOS job was in the works, but every day no candidate declares is a day of fundraising and vigorous campaigning lost forever.