Former MultCo Commissioner Gary Hansen to File for Cogen's Seat

Add another name to the race: former Multnomah County Commissioner Gary Hansen says he'll run to replace Commissioner Jeff Cogen.

"The county is a basic supplier of services to the most needy people in the state," Hansen says, when asked why he's running. "We're talking about the mentally ill, the disabled, seniors. The county is really where the action is."

Hansen was a two-term Metro councilor when he was elected to the county commission in 1992. He served there until 1999, then went to Salem as a state representative, including time on the powerful Ways and Means Committee.

He ran again for county commissioner in 2006 but was defeated in the primary by Cogen and Lew Frederick, who is now a state representativesenator.

Cogen is stepping out of his re-election race to run for county chair after Chair Ted Wheeler was appointed state treasurer. Cogen's aide Karol Collymore and Rev. Chuck Currie are also running for Cogen's seat.