Peter DeFazio's Campaign Funds Ready for Action

If U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield) and ex-Gov. John Kitzhaber decide to run each other in the 2010 Democratic gubernatorial primary, DeFazio will carry one advantage: a war-chest of $370,000 in his congressional campaign fund.

In case you missed our online Murmurs today, we reported that election law lets DeFazio —who's speaking June 19 at Portland City Club three weeks after Kitzhaber addressed the same forum — use that congressional campaign money in state races. DeFazio, usually a reluctant fundraiser, will be holding a fundraiser this weekend at the home of Chandra Brown, an official with streetcar manufacturer Oregon Iron Works — a company that benefited from DeFazio's support in Congress.

Meantime, NW Republican is reporting that Sid Leiken, the Republican who wants to unseat DeFazio in Congress, is gearing up for his run.