Suzanne Bonamici

As the August 26 deadline to find candidates for the November ballot, the Washington county GOP is losing quite a few good opportunities to take on Democrats this fall.

Freshman State Rep. Suzanne Bonamici is the newest member of the Oregon State Senate. She was appointed today to replace Brad Avakian, who resigned to become the state Labor and Industries Commissioner. Bonamici was picked by Washington and Multnomah Commissioners over two other candidates, Paul Terdal and Julie Young. Bonamici will now run for Senate in the November election in District 17.

When Brad Avakian decided to replace Labor Commissioner Dan Garner, it was already past the filing deadline. The Democrats therefore have to choose a slate of three to five nominees to replace the state senator and send it on to the county commissioners in the affected district.

Brad Avakian's immediate departure to replace Labor Commissioner Dan Gardner now triggers some potential concerns for the House Democrats who desperately need to hold onto their 31-29 majority.  read more »

Any rumors that Senator Brad Avakian is leaving the Secretary of State race will be quashed this week when he rolls out a few of his Democratic endorsers. Former Governor John Kitzhaber and Former Congressman Les Aucoin will top the list of several heavyweight elected officials who are throwing their support to Avakian.  read more »