Jeff Cogen to Run for Multnomah County Chair

Multnomah County Commissioner Jeff Cogen confirms he will run to replace Ted Wheeler as head honcho at at the county.

"I've been working here at Multnomah County for three years," Cogen says. "I feel we've made a lot of progress addressing our needs. I want to step up and help continue to make Multnomah County a great government."

It will be an interesting race — former Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Steve Novick has already told WW he'll also run to replace Wheeler, who was tapped to replace Ben Westlund as state treasurer.

Cogen says he welcomes a competitive race. He says he already has secured the support of county commissioners Judy Shiprack and Deborah Kafoury.

"I feel like I'm in a good position to continue to make things better," he says.

Meanwhile, the race to fill Cogen's seat is already on. Rev. Chuck Currie and Karol Collymore, an aide to Cogen, have both announced they'll run.

Cogen said he encouraged Collymore to file this morning and will support her in the race.

The filing deadline to replace both Wheeler and Cogen in the May primary ends at 5 p.m. today.