Where in the world is the Oregon GOP?

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.

Now, the Democrats have the exact opposite problem.  Candidates for all three positions hit the campaign trail early on (with the exception of Rick Metsger), trying to elbow their way into what many Dem insiders claim will be a cake walk through the general election.  A handful of Democrats from the SOS and AG races continue to superimpose the name of perennial conservative candidate Kevin Mannix in a concerted effort to raise campaign cash and support.

So, what's the hold up here?  Did the devastating loss of the Oregon House by former Speaker Karen Minnis last cycle completely erode any confidence in Republican candidates to win on the statewide level?  The governor's seat will be wide open in two years and with no apparent farm team to build on perhaps the Oregon GOP should concede right now.  With redistricting playing a major role in the job of our next Secretary of State, it would behoove the party to get their act (and their candidates) together rather soon.