Here's a scary
thought: The official kickoff date for Election 2000 is
just two weeks away. Sept. 9 is the first day candidates
can file to run for office, but the fund-raising, schmoozing
and positioning has been going on for months. Joining
them in jumping the gun, WW presents its list of
those whose names we can expect to see gracing lawn signs,
bumper stickers and billboards in the coming year. This
early in the game, however, it's hard to pin people down,
so we've divided the names into three categories: Sure
Thing (already announced); Safe Bet (probably will announce)
and Hedging (rumored to be interested).
SECRETARY OF STATE
With current SOS Phil Keisling term-limited out,
the state's No. 2 office is up for grabs.
SURE THING
Lynn Lundquist (R)
The one-time Speaker of the House from Powell Butte
announced his candidacy last week on the heels of a
legislative session where he got kicked around by current
Speaker Lynn Snodgrass. Still, he came out looking like
the voice of reason on education funding.
SAFE BET
Bryan Johnston (D)
This popular ex-legislator from Salem is known for his
humor, intelligence and management skills. Since leaving
the Capitol in 1997, he has been the interim president
of Willamette University and is currently the dean of
the school's Atkinson Graduate School of Management.
Mike Burton (D)
The current executive officer of Metro, Burton was known
as a brainy but cranky legislator during his five terms
representing North Portland in the statehouse.
HEDGING
Lynn Snodgrass (R)
The current speaker is reportedly holed up, recovering
from a grueling session. Rumors continue that she'll
run either for SOS or for Darlene Hooley's congressional
seat.
Jack Roberts (R)
Roberts is Commissioner of Labor and Industries and
is widely reported to be considering a run for governor
in 2002. He could be viewing SOS as a stepping stone
to bigger and better things.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
One-term incumbent Hardy Myers can run again.
SURE THING
Hardy Myers (D)
After being dragged into the race three years ago to
keep the post safe from state Rep. Kevin Mannix, Myers
has decided he likes the job.
SAFE BET
Kevin Mannix (R)
Mannix ran for AG in 1996 in the Democratic primary
and got trounced by Myers. Now he's looking at a second
try, this time as a Republican.
TREASURER
Jim Hill, the current treasurer, has already announced
he will be running for governor in 2002.
SURE THING
Randall Edwards (D)
He hasn't formally announced, but will do so soon. The
Portland state representative won kudos from the pro-school
people by digging in his heels on education funding.
He was director of policy under Jim Hill from 1993 to
1996.
HEDGING
Ken Strobeck (R)
The Beaverton state representative chaired the House
Revenue Committee and proved himself a numbers guy.
Jon Kvistad (R)
Metro councilor and unsuccessful congressional candidate
Kvistad recently increased Metro's visibility by proposing
a toll on southbound drivers coming into the state from
Washington.
State
Legislature
The 2000 election is going to be a numbers game.
The Republicans have held both chambers since 1991,
and the Democrats want at least one of them back. Most
observers say they have a better chance in the Senate,
where they just need to pick up three seats. Several
House members are talking about jumping over to the
Senate before their House terms run out. Most notably,
House Majority Leader Steve Harper of Klamath Falls
plans to run for Sen. Eugene Timms' seat, which will
leave a gap in the Republican leadership. House Democrats
are hell-bent on taking back their chamber as well.
To do so, they will have to keep all the seats they
have and pick up seven more.
SENATE
SURE THING
Ryan Deckert (D)
The Beaverton rep says he's ready to jump to the District
4 Senate race and take on Republican incumbent Eileen
Qutub. If so, it could be tough for the D's to hang
on to his seat.
Margaret Carter (D)
Last Saturday, the former state representative from
North Portland announced her candidacy for the Senate
seat held by Thomas Wilde, who has promised not to run
again. This race will be over in the Democratic primary,
where Carter will face Mike Fahey, a two-term
House member.
HEDGING
Ron Sunseri (R)
One of three familiar names eyeing the District 11 Senate
seat being vacated by John Lim, the Gresham state rep
could face a primary challenge from ex-state Rep. John
Minnis. Democrats think they could pick up this
seat, and Sharron Kelley, at the end of her term
as a Multnomah County Commissioner, could jump in this
race.
HOUSE
SURE THING
Democrats would love to oust GOP freshman Bill Witt
from the District 7 seat. Mitch Greenlick, chairman
of public health and preventative medicine at Oregon
Health Sciences University, has lined up an impressive
campaign team, including ex-Gov. Neil Goldschmidt, State
Treasurer Jim Hill and Multnomah County Commissioner
Bev Stein.
Brian Newman (D) A former chief of staff for
Sen. Ginny Burdick, Newman is one of several Democrats
who think they can pick up the House District 25 seat
now held by Republican Jane Lokan, who's served all
the terms allowed.
HEDGING
Tom Civiletti (D)
Newman may be joined in the Democratic primary by Civiletti,
who two years ago lost to Lokan by just 100 votes. Earlier
this year, he said he wasn't running again. Now he's
wavering.
Laurie Monnes Anderson (D)
Two years ago, the Gresham School Board member nearly
beat Ron Sunseri in District 22. She's considering another
run for the suburban seat.
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Willamette Week | originally
published August 25,
1999
