Springfield Mayor Leiken files for DeFazio’s seat
From our weekly issue dated May 20, 2009
During the 2008 election, Republicans were unable to field a candidate to run against longtime Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield).
But if DeFazio chooses to seek another term, it appears that he will have to face Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken in November 2010.
Leiken recently officially filed the initial paperwork to run for Oregon’s Fourth Congressional District. It takes in Douglas, Linn, Lane, Coos, Curry and parts of Benton and Josephine counties.
Born and raised in Roseburg, Leiken boasts experience in banking and as a small business owner. He said that with such a background, combined with his 10 years as mayor and city councilor, he has advantages that DeFazio’s other challengers have not had.
“I have been the mayor of the second-largest city in the district and one of the 10 largest cities in the state,” Leiken said. “I think I’m able to bring that to the table so people can see a choice as someone with a record and an understanding of what government can do in a positive way.”
Oregon’s Fourth Congressional District may be geographically diverse, but Leiken said that its residents are “people who really want to make their communities better and make their communities stronger.”
He said he suspects that the economy may be a major issue during the 2010 campaign. That bodes well for him, he said, because of the way Springfield emerged from the recession of the 1980s by using “good, solid fundamentals.”
“One of the things I want to do is really tell the Springfield story so people have an understanding that we went through some severe challenges ourselves like so many communities are continuing to do,” Leiken said.
Of particular concern to Leiken is the growing federal deficit. He points out that Springfield and the state of Oregon have had to adjust their budgets, and wonders why the federal government can’t do the same.
“There are some really significant issues here with trying to borrow our way out of the economic issues we’re involved in right now,” Leiken said. “Frankly, the idea is to get back to the fundamentals and basics that made America great in the first place.”
In his role as Springfield’s mayor, Leiken has worked closely with DeFazio on many issues. But he said that will not affect his willingness to compete with him for his congressional seat.
DeFazio has been rumored for months to be contemplating a run for Oregon governor. If he does seek that position, it would leave his current seat open and therefore more competitive.
However, Leiken said none of that factored in to his decision to run for Congress.
“For me, the bottom line is, I wasn’t going to predicate my decision on what Peter is going to do,” he said. “My decision is based on what I believe I can bring to the table right now.”
Leiken said he also does not view being a Republican as an obstacle, as it may have been for candidates during the past two elections.
“It wasn’t long ago that people were suggesting that the Democratic Party was dead,” Leiken said. “I think it’s a cycle.”
Having filed the preliminary paperwork enables Leiken to accept campaign contributions. He said he will prepare a public statement on his key issue positions some time during the summer, and is in the process of scheduling a trip around the district, including Josephine County.
“I plan on getting down there very soon,” Leiken said.
DeFazio’s press secretary did not return a message seeking comment.
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