2010: Jason Atkinson for Governor?

Kari Chisholm FacebookTwitterWebsite

I don't know how I missed this 11 days ago, but on July 21, Jeff Mapes reported at the O that Senator Jason Atkinson (R-Central Point) is on the verge of making a second run for Governor.

I just got off the phone with state Sen. Jason Atkinson, who still seems on track to seek the Republican nomination for governor next year.

"I'm putting a team together" for a campaign, said Atkinson, adding that he is nevertheless "not really ready to go public with a bunch of stuff...I'm actively pursuing things and things are coming together quite nicely."

More recently, he sent out a heartfelt reflection on the one-year anniversary of the incident in which he was nearly fatally wounded by a loaded gun that went off inside a friend's bicycle bag.

And yeah, it does appear that he's assembling a team and getting ready. He recently spent $2000 with the Gove-Siebold Group - a speaker training outfit "for world-class performers" in Florida. And he also spent $6000 with Swanson Strategies, a campaign firm led by Jason John Swanson - former head of the Oregon College Republicans.

No word yet if Atkinson, age 38, is planning to walk 400 miles down a randomly-selected stretch of Oregon highway.

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    And don't forget, he's hired Sid Leiken's mother to do his polling.

  • Scott Jorgensen (unverified)
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    Kari-

    It's John Swanson, not Jason Swanson.

  • mp97303 (unverified)
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    Not that i would ever vote for him, but with the worst broad unemployment in the country and a ruling party that is raising taxes on businesses could make for an interesting election. The Dims certainly are leaving the door ajar, giving the Gops an opening. If any Gops would be smart enough to leave the bible by their bedside and run on true fiscal conservatism, it would make for a good election.

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    Thanks, Scott. Got my J-names mixed up!

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    Jack, you're a funny guy on a Saturday night!

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    " The Dims certainly are leaving the door ajar, giving the Gops an opening."

    What opening? Republicans have become a distinct minority in Oregon. And since almost nobody, individual or business, will actually see their taxes raised, I don't see the connection.

  • fbear (unverified)
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    Jack,

    The puzzling part about it is, why would Jason Atkinson be polling about issues concerning Springfield? :-)

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    The puzzling part about it is, why would Jason Atkinson be polling about issues concerning Springfield? :-)

    Oh, he does that periodically. Secretly, of course. Doesn't everyone?

  • Ron T. (unverified)
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    Who is John Swanson? Never heard of him...a former CR president. What if any legitimate political experience does he have?. Sounds like Jason is hiring some big shots for his campaign.

  • Scott Jorgensen (unverified)
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    John has spent the last year as a fundraiser for the national College Republicans.

  • Ron T. (unverified)
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    Ok, thanks for information. I give Allen Alley the edge...his moderate image and economic/business expertise could bode well for him in increasingly blue state that ranks #2 in nation in unemployment....never the less it going to be nearly impossible for R to become governor in Oregon.

  • Ms Willis (unverified)
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    Sounds like he is doing everything right at the moment to make a successful rebid for governor! I hope he wins to be honest with you!

  • fbear (unverified)
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    The puzzling part about it is, why would Jason Atkinson be polling about issues concerning Springfield? :-)

    Oh, he does that periodically. Secretly, of course. Doesn't everyone?

    Yes, but most of them poll about the mythical town of Springfield. The one where Homer and Marge and Lisa and Bart live.

  • Mike (unverified)
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    <h2>Does anybody know where members of Gordon Smith's staff is now? I wonder if any of them are working on campaigns, Gubernatorial or otherwise....</h2>

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