Murmurs: Maybe a Custodian Will Take The Job.

1. Democrat Kate Brown, set to become governor Feb. 18, must choose her replacement secretary of state—a jumping-off job a lot of ambitious politicians would like to hold. Leading contenders have included Sen. Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin), House Majority Leader Val Hoyle (D-Eugene) and Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland). Brown may also name a placeholder—someone competent to fill the office but who won’t seek to run for it in 2016. A decision not to name a politically ambitious Democrat to replace her would mollify critics who think she is excessively partisan. Brown is expected to name the new secretary of state within the next week.

1. The fight for control of the Portland Public Schools Board is heating up. Incumbent Bobbie Regan has announced she will seek a fourth term—the only current member whose seat is up seeking re-election. Matt Morton, Greg Belisle and Ruth Adkins have said they won’t run again. Regan will have a challenger: Amy Kohnstamm, a former board member with the Portland Schools Foundation (now All Hands Raised), filed last week. Two candidates say they will seek Morton’s seat: Emma Williams, a Metro employee, and José González, founder and executive director of Milagro Theatre. Paul Anthony, CFO of a financial services company, has already announced he’s running to replace Morton.

1. Mayor Charlie Hales hasn’t announced he’s seeking a second term in 2016—but he’s flashing a lot of campaign cash. Wweek.com reported Feb. 16 that Hales disclosed $21,000 in new campaign contributions, including $5,000 from Pearl District developer John Carroll, and $1,000 each from New Seasons Market co-founder Stan Amy and Pendleton Woolen Mills president C.M. “Mort” Bishop III. Hales wasn’t obligated to report the donations for nearly a month—but his rushing the news out suggests Hales is trying to ward off a potential opponents. Rumors in recent weeks have centered on former Portland Police Chief Mike Reese and Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek.

1. The Portland Trail Blazers want to host the NBA All-Star Game in 2017 or 2018. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told the media Feb. 14 that Portland’s bid hinges on the city gaining more hotel rooms. That means the Blazers need the proposed $212 million, 600-room Hyatt hotel next to the Oregon Convention Center (“Heartbreak Hotel,” WW, Sept. 18, 2013). Two lawsuits by the project’s opponents, led by downtown hotelier Gordon Sondland, are holding things up. Metro President Tom Hughes says the clock is running out on landing the all-star game. “We are in danger of missing that window of opportunity,” Hughes says. “Every day the opponents delay the project makes it harder to meet the NBA’s deadline.”

WWeek 2015