Metsger: Not Running for Governor

BlueOregon just received this news release from State Senator Rick Metsger:

State Senator Rick Metsger (D-Mt. Hood) today declared his intention to file for re-election to his seat in the Oregon State Senate. Metsger represents District 26 which covers much of East Clackamas County, portions of East Multnomah County and all of Hood River County.
Metsger, who previously has indicated his concern about the need for strong leadership on the issues of health care and education says he would be most effective in making change by driving legislative action in the Senate.

Metsger had been exploring the possibility of running for governor. Previous BlueOregon discussion here and here.

The rest of the news release after the jump.

As Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee in 2003, Metsger co-authored and helped push to passage a $2.5 billion dollar package to repair Oregon s aging bridge network. It was Oregon s largest investment in transportation infrastructure since the building of the interstate highway system in the 1950s.
In 2005, as Chairman of The Senate Business Committee, Metsger co-authored and helped push to passage SB408 which could save ratepayers millions of dollars by preventing utilities from collecting taxes from ratepayers they don't owe.
Having successfully met these challenges, Metsger believes his demonstrated ability to bring stakeholders together on key issues will help in finally addressing the state s education and health care needs.
"It is time we stop talking about providing our children with the finest education possible and start delivering on that promise", Metsger said. In the months ahead I will work with interested colleagues and the Governor to develop specific plans of action to move Oregon forward and fulfill our obligation to our children.
Metsger was elected to the Oregon Senate in 1998 and re-elected in 2002. He chaired the Senate Committee on Business and Economic Development, served as a member of the Revenue Committee, Human Services Committee and the Transportation Committee. He also sits on the Willamette River Cleanup Authority, The State Debt Policy Advisory Committee and the State Interoperability Executive Council.
  • activist kaza (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Rick's a smart guy and if Ds can win control of the House, he knows he can deliver much more in the next session staying right where he is. More here.

  • (Show?)

    It would have sucked for Sen. Metzger to have to leave his Governor's Mansion in two years to do Job One, too: removing Gordon Smith from our collective eyesight in the US Senate.

  • A Decision That Is Good For The Party (unverified)
    (Show?)

    I will be glad to see Senator Metsger back in the Senate. I do look forward to seeing him move into higher office, because he has done a lot of great things for our state and I want to see what he can do for us when he has greater influence than possible in a Senate seat.

    I feel less uneasy about our situation in the Senate now. I was concerned that with Metsger and Walker both running for Governor, that the Senate Democrats faced a strong possibility of losing both seats. Thus cutting into our power and ability to negotiate with the Republican dominated House.

    I think Senator Metsger made the right decision, I am glad he is hanging in there.

  • A Decision That Is Good For The Party (unverified)
    (Show?)

    I will be glad to see Senator Metsger back in the Senate. I do look forward to seeing him move into higher office, because he has done a lot of great things for our state and I want to see what he can do for us when he has greater influence than possible in a Senate seat.

    I feel less uneasy about our situation in the Senate now. I was concerned that with Metsger and Walker both running for Governor, that the Senate Democrats faced a strong possibility of losing both seats. Thus cutting into our power and ability to negotiate with the Republican dominated House.

    I think Senator Metsger made the right decision, I am glad he is hanging in there.

  • (Show?)

    "negotiate with the Republican dominated House"...

    are you kidding? We're going to take back the House in 2006.

  • Pedro (unverified)
    (Show?)

    "negotiate with the Republican dominated House"...

    Classic oxymoron!

  • Kari and Pedro (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Kari,

    I like your enthusiasm! It is definately a strong possibility that we will take the majority in the House. I sure hope so, but don't get ahead of yourself. There is a lot of work to be done to make that happen and they are in no way going to hand it over to us. The battle has not even begun.

    Pedro,

    ha ha, I agree there is little the Republican dominated House is willing to negotiate on, at least as far as a progressive agenda is concerned, but please. you really took the time to post that. The strong Democratic majority in the Senate did give us a much better bargaining chip in this last session than we have ever had in the past and I don't want to see our majority eroded in any way. Losing seats equals losing influence over the process. I think any reasonable person can see that makes sense.

    I don't think you are really serious about your statement, you probably just wanted to get a laugh, but if you would like examples of the Republican dominated House negotiating with the Senate in ways different from the past, when we did not have a commanding majority, I would be happy to list some out for you.

    One example, look into the history of Senate Bill 1, the mental health parity bill. By the way, it finally passed this session, but I am sure you knew that and know why it passed this session.

  • (Show?)

    Whoever you are, please stop changing up your "name" in the comments. Pick a name - any goofy handle will work - and stick with it. Certainly, don't pick other people's names and don't put commentary in the name.

    By picking a single pseudonymous handle, it increases the trust-level in your comments; since you'll develop a reputation as a thoughtful commenter. Without that, lots of people will skip your comments.

    Please follow our commenting guidelines. They're there for a reason.

  • Sid Leader (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Rick's a great guy, but his name recognition is just slightly lower than that kid named Jason.

    Is someone who actually DID something going to run for Governor?

    Anyone?

  • Political Staffer (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Kari,

    This is one of the many names I have used over the past few months. I never realized there were guidelines to posting. No one ever mentioned it before and I always use different names and usually one with what you call commentary. I thought of it as picking a name that sets the tone for my post.

    Don't think I was trying to use your name to make people think it was you posting. I can see your point, but understand I used both your names because I was addressing you and Pedro. I was in no way trying to create the appearance that you and Pedro teamed up to write that post.

  • LT (unverified)
    (Show?)

    2 comments on the race for Gov. An old family friend who isn't very political was saying today that he could support "Ben from Bend" (Westlund) given who else is running.

    In a Washington Post article, Ted K. doing something right. He gets so much flak (much of it deserved) that I thought this should be posted in a comment--and this was the first Gov. campaign related post I found.

    The quote and the URL:

    "All Democrats agree strongly that cuts in Medicaid, especially those that hurt poor beneficiaries, should not be used to pay for tax cuts, especially those geared toward those at the top," Kahn said.

    And gubernatorial support for the Medicaid changes may not be universal. In an Aug. 31 letter, Gov. Ted Kulongoski of Oregon implored Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) to oppose increased cost-sharing, especially for Medicaid recipients below the poverty line.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/27/AR2005112700781.html

open discussion

connect with blueoregon