Margaret Carter May Run for Senate Seat She Left in 2009

By Nigel Jaquiss

Former state Sen. Margaret Carter is pondering a comeback.

Carter, 79, was the first African-American woman elected to the Oregon Legislature. She served in the House and Senate from 1985 through 2009, when she stepped down to take a senior position at the state Department of Human Services. Carter rose to be co-chair of the Joint Ways and Means Committee, which writes the state's budget.

Her replacement, Sen. Chip Shields (D-North/Northeast Portland) announced earlier this month he won't seek re-election.

Rep. Lew Frederick (D-Portland), whose district is part of Shields', says he wants the Senate seat, but Carter says people are encouraging her to run.

"I have not said yes, but I have not said no," Carter tells WW. "I'm just going to check all my options. If the community wants me to run, I will do it."

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