Two Notable Filings For The Oregon Legislature

State Rep. David Edwards (D-Hillsboro) has ended any speculation around the Capitol that he might not run again. He filed yesterday to run for the seat he's held for two terms.

Unlike most of his fellow incumbents, who filed for re-election in September and October, Edwards had held off on filing his paperwork. And that led to speculation that he was too busy at the market research firm he runs to continue —or alternatively, was mulling a run to replace Washington County Chairman Tom Brian, who is retiring.

Edwards, 43, is a rising star in his caucus. In 2009, he was one of two members named to the budget-writing Joint Ways and Means Committee. Given that the GOP has recruited a promising candidate in Shawn Lindsay, an intellectual property lawyer at the Lane Powell firm, Edwards' decision to run is a relief to Democrats who are looking to retain their 36-24 majority.

In another Metro-area seat, Republican Mary Kremer, a former investment banker and current charter school activist, has decided to challenge Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin) in Senate District 19, which covers parts of Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties.

Kremer's entrance is notable in part because she's married to Rob Kremer, a political consultant and former candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.