OR-05

The Cook Political Report continues to classify Oregon’s 5th district seat as Lean Democratic.  Darlene Hooley’s seat was listed as a Toss Up on May 15, but moved to the Lean Democratic column on May 22.

Following Darlene Hooley’s announcement that she would not seek re-election, Republicans immediately viewed Oregon’s fifth district as one of the GOP’s best chances nationally to pick up a Democratic seat.   But the raucous primary between Mike Erickson and Kevin Mannix has led many political insiders to view Democrat Kurt Schrader as the favorite to replace Hooley.  Erickson, who spent over $1 million to win the nomination, is expected to have trouble uniting the GOP after accusations that he impregnated a former girlfriend and paid for her abortion.  So far, Mannix has refused to endorse Erickson.  

GOP congressional candidate Mike Erickson's new ad about Kevin Mannix's "smear" campaign:

The Statesman-Journal has endorsed candidates for Darlene Hooley’s seat in Congress: Kevin Mannix for the Republican nomination and Kurt Schrader in the Democratic primary. “Kevin Mannix vs. Kurt Schrader. That would be a great matchup for the 5th Congressional District, giving voters a choice between two experienced, effective legislators,” the editorial said.