Candidates emerge for Oregon Guv
From our weekly issue dated March 18, 2009
Even though the 2010 election is still several months away, candidates already are lining up to replace Gov. Kulongoski, who can’t seek re-election due to term limits.
Among Democrats, there has been speculation about any number of possible contenders. They include Congressman Peter DeFazio, former Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury, former Gov. Kitzhaber, Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard; and Steve Novick, longtime activist and former U.S. Senate candidate .
The list is much shorter among Republicans, whose party hasn’t elected a governor since Vic Atiyeh left office in 1987.
Congressman Greg Walden and former U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith have been mentioned as candidates, although both have indicated that they will not run. PixelWorks co-founder Allen Alley, who had a strong showing running for Oregon state treasurer against Democrat Ben Westlund last November, has announced his candidacy and begun campaigning.
Also lining up for a run is Sen. Jason Atkinson (R-Central Point), whose district includes Cave Junction.
Atkinson, 39, began serving in the Oregon House of Representatives at the age of 28. He was re-elected to his Senate seat last year, and has launched a Website, www.jasonatkinson.us. It mentions a “gubernatorial exploratory committee” on its main page.
In 2006, Atkinson placed third in the Republican gubernatorial primary against former Oregon Republican Party (ORP) Chairman Kevin Mannix and Ron Saxton. Saxton won the primary, but lost the general election to Kulongoski.
Atkinson said that the results of that race, and the 2008 election, prove that Republicans must “get back to the fundamentals” and stick to their principles.
“The reason voters were turned off is they didn’t see a difference between Democrats and Republicans,” he said. “They want to see fresh ideas coming out of a Republican, instead of seeing an accountant giving financial speeches. They don’t see it coming from the heart, and that’s the difference.”
Last July, Atkinson was wounded seriously in an accidental shooting, and is still in physical therapy and walking with a cane. But the injury and recovery have given him time to reflect on his future and his priorities.
“I think it certainly makes you stand back just a little bit and view why you do the things that you do,” said Atkinson. “I believe in public service like I never have. I think after the accident, my focus is a lot more precise.”
Atkinson describes himself as a “hands-on legislative person.” He touts his experience negotiating with two Democratic governors during the past decade, as well as his work on renewable energy standards and tax reform.
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Also lining up for Atkinson is the fact that his ally, Bob Tiernan, has taken the ORP helm. His other friend, former Maryland Gov. Steele, is chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Atkinson said that those connections may serve him well in a contested primary against Alley.
“His strength as a candidate is the fact that he has Ron Saxton’s campaign team,” said Atkinson. “That’s good. His weaknesses are, he’s never worked an election before and served. He was the deputy chief of staff to the governor, who did a whole bunch to harm rural Oregon,” Atkinson said.
“I wish him the best of luck, but I believe the campaign is wide open.”
There’s also the experience Atkinson gained during the 2006 race.
“I learned a lot about tactics and learned a lot about the importance of running for the right reasons,” he said. “I think those lessons and that discipline has given me a certain edge that would be, I think, very valuable.”
Atkinson said that in terms of the Democratic primary, he sees Bradbury emerging as the winner of a hotly contested election.
“He’s got the edge and has the team in place,” said Atkinson. “I think he reflects a very far left Democratic Party that will put that kind of candidate up. He was the guy that was the most partisan secretary of state we’ve ever seen. I would be very motivated to take him on in the general campaign.”
The Legislature is currently in session in Salem, which will keep Atkinson plenty busy during the next few months. But once the final gavel falls, it’s entirely possible that Atkinson may gear up to hit the campaign trail in earnest and try and break Oregon Republicans’ lengthy losing streak.
“I think there’s a real opportunity for a balanced candidate with experience who is also representing a new generation to come out strong and win,” he said. “I think the same old Republican isn’t going to win statewide, but I think that a new generation can win.”
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