SD-7: Chris Edwards unanimous pick for State Senate
The Lane County Commission announced today that they've appointed Rep. Chris Edwards to the State Senate - in a unanimous decision. He replaces Vicki Walker, who was appointed by the Governor to lead the state parole commission.
In the House, Edwards currently represents HD-14, which includes parts of west Eugene and Santa Clara, Junction City, Cheshire and Alvadore. The Senate district includes the parts of Eugene represented by Rep. Nancy Nathanson in HD-13. The Senate seat will be up in the November 2010 election. In 2006, it featured one of the most hotly-contested Senate races in Oregon between Senator Walker and former Eugene mayor Jim Torrey.
The appointment of Edwards creates a vacancy for his House seat. A similar process will be used to fill that seat - with the district's precinct committee members selecting 3-5 nominees, and the final choice made by the County Commission.
This morning, the Register-Guard covered yesterday's interviews of the three candidates for the State Senate seat - newcomer Mark Callahan, former Rep. Bob Ackerman, and Edwards.
Edwards, in his second term in House District 14, told the commissioners he can work with people “across the political spectrum,” noting that his family’s forest products business had to succeed in an area that’s also home to intense environmental activism. He said his legislative record includes protecting tenants in manufactured home parks, encouraging energy-efficient home improvements and services for people with autism, and finding health plan savings that helped the Bethel School District. He said he has tried to protect homeowners from annexation and to increase the amount of taxes paid by corporations. In Oregon, “the corporate tax code has been fairly light in comparison to other states,” Edwards said.
No word yet on when Edwards will be sworn in. Congratulations, Chris!
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August 5, 2009 |
Kari Chisholm | Comments (13 so far)
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Posted by: Kari Chisholm | Aug 5, 2009 12:00:32 PM
[Full disclosure: My firm built the campaign website for Chris Edwards, but I speak only for myself.]
Posted by: Observer | Aug 5, 2009 12:14:27 PM
Who are the likely candidates to fill Edwards' House seat?
Posted by: Sen. Suzanne Bonamici | Aug 5, 2009 12:18:56 PM
Congratulations to Chris, and welcome to the Senate!
Posted by: Kari Chisholm | Aug 5, 2009 12:23:30 PM
Observer -- As the R-G reported earlier, and we noted here, there's at least one candidate who is talking about it: Greg Evans, a Lane Community College instructor and Lane Transit board member, who had been considering a run for city council.
No word on others, but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.
Posted by: Jack Roberts | Aug 5, 2009 8:15:56 PM
City Councilor Andrea Ortiz and former-Lane County Democrats chair Val Hoyle will both be strong candidates if they decide to go for it.
Posted by: Kari Chisholm | Aug 5, 2009 10:34:52 PM
I don't know Andrea, but I agree that Val would be a very strong candidate.
Posted by: Observer 2 | Aug 5, 2009 11:24:21 PM
Andrea Ortiz would be a strong candidate, she has represented the district well on the City Council, is a straight shooter and would add some ethnic diversity in the House. Val Hoyle would be great too. Either way, we should work to get more strong women into leadership.
Posted by: Joshua Welch | Aug 7, 2009 9:57:51 AM
Andrea Ortiz is a weak Democrat. She would feel right at home with the Blue Dog democrats who have become infamous for siding with Republicans far too often. See Eugene Weekly archives for her record of "moderation."
Posted by: observer 2 | Aug 8, 2009 2:24:05 PM
Joshua you are clueless. HD 14 encompasses West Eugene, Bethel, Junction City, Alvadore and Cheshire. It is a blue collar/rural district and Andrea Ortiz's record of fighting for social justice working people would serve that district well. In order to hold that seat, we need to elect someone that will connect with and represent the HD 14 constituants. Unlike you, Andrea Ortiz takes both environmental issues and social justice into consideration. She brings a lifetime of experiences fighting for people who don't have a voice and over 20 years professional experience in the field of emergency health care. I think Lane County would be well served by having the perspective of a wise Latina in the House.
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Posted by: Evan Manvel | Aug 5, 2009 12:00:21 PM
An excellent choice. Glad to have someone of Edwards' caliber move into the Senate.