Steve Marks

Two months and change is not a lot of time to campaign for Congress, especially if you have less money and a lower name recognition than your opponent.

But Steve Marks, who lost the Democratic nomination in the 5th Congressional District to state Sen. Kurt Schrdaer, has no regrets.

"The clock just ran out," he said.

State Senator Kurt Schrader has a handy lead over democratic primary candidate Steve Marks, and Republican Kevin Mannix is squeaking ahead of Mike Erickson in a last minute poll released by SurveyUSA and commissioned by KATU news.

With 43 percent, Schrader led Marks nearly two to one, although a full 38 percent of voters said they were undecided. Schrader does however lead in every demographic group.

Steve Marks thinks there haven’t been any. Kurt Schrader, his opponent for the Democratic nomination in the 5th Congressional District thinks there have been. 

What’s all the fuss about? 

Debates, forums and joint appearances.

And don't forget to vote in this weeks Cartoon Caption Contest. Voting ends at noon on Friday.

State Sen. Kurt Schrader has received most of the union support thus far in the Democratic primary in the 5th Congressional District, but today his opponent Steve Marks announced the endorsement of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 555. 

Marks has also procured the endorsements of a number of civic leaders, including formers Govs. Barbara Roberts and John Kitzhaber, while Schrader has wrapped up the largest unions in the state, including the OEA and the AFL-CIO.

UFCW Local 555 represents around 18,000 workers in retail, manufacturing, health care and other industries.  It is the largest private sector labor union in Oregon.

Congressional candidate Steve MarksAlthough Gov. Ted Kulongoski has not weighed in on the Democratic primary in the 5th Congressional District, his two predecessors have, and they are both standing behind Steve Marks.

Former Gov. John Kitzhaber—who Marks has worked with in various capacities over the past two decades— endorsed the candidate soon after he jumped into the race, and today former Gov. Barbara Roberts also threw her hat into the ring.

Oregon has always been a bit ahead of the curve on the green movement, and since today is Earth Day, plenty of politicians have been speaking about their views on the environment.  read more »

Steve Marks

Last week, Steve Marks, who is seeking the Democratic nomination in the 5th Congressional District, released his personal financial information and challenged his chief rival, state Sen. Kurt Schrader to do the same.

Marks—who reported a gross income of $185,356 in 2007, primarily from his government relations and lobbying firm—said he is fully committed to openness and transparency, and believes that voters deserve full disclosure.

On the Democratic side of the race in the 5th Congressional District, the latest Survey USA poll found state Sen. Kurt Schrader leading Steve Marks by a tight 3% margin (23-20%) with 57% still undecided.The margin of error—4.1%--diminishes the significance of that lead.  read more »

State Senator Kurt Schrader (D-Canby) picked up the endorsements of the legislators in his neighboring country.

All three Marion County Democrats—Senate President Peter Courtney and State Representatives Brian Clem and Betty Komp—are standing behind Schrader’s bid for the Democratic nomination in the 5th Congressional District.  read more »