HD 50 and other 2012 speculations
T.A. Barnhart
Seriously? You'd rather have a picture of Greg Matthews?
Sum-sum-summertime. This is a lull time in the political calendar, especially following the end of a legislative session. And since it is summertime, along with those fun books we're allowed to read, we get to speculate on who will be running for what next year. A few people have already declared for office, and others are known to be running but have not formed any committee yet. Over the next few months, names will surface, and we'll all keep playing this "maybe...perhaps" game until campaigns form officially.
Out in Gresham, Andre Wang lost by 8 points to Democratic incumbent Greg Matthews in 2010. I notice today in Facebook (thanks to a comment from Katie Eyre Brewer, who is my FB friend and someone I personally like) that Wang has been busy on FB. Lots of posts in June, and then today sharing an Oregonian article on the CRC. Is Wang thinking of having a second go at Matthews? Defeating an incumbent is usually a multi-election process; Judy Steigler won her seat on the third attempt. Making the campaign a three-year project may seem daunting, but it might be the best way to take down a strong incumbent. I don't think Wang has a chance, not when he got beat solidly in a good year for Rs. But having a repeat opponent will certainly help Matthews plan his own campaign.
(Ok, this may be common knowledge out there, but holy carp. That's on the other side of SE 82nd. Why would I want to keep in touch with a such remote, godforesaken place?)
In my House District, 42 ("The Fightin' 42nd!"), the speculation has to do with Senator Diane Rosenbaum and whether she's going to seek to replace Brad Avakian at BOLI. As much as we love her as our Senator, there's no doubt she'd be a great Labor Commissioner. (And having another woman at a state-wide office would be tremendous, too.) That, of course, starts an upward avalanche of speculation. Does Jules Bailey go for her Senate seat (Yes, please)? Who then steps forward for HD 42? Is it "Run, Teddy (Keizer), run" one more time? Will we have another incredible primary like we did in 2008?
Of course, there's HD 36 (Mary Nolan leaving to run for the Portland City Council), HD 31 (Brad Witt running for Congress), and probably HD 28 (Jeff Barker retiring). And this is without even getting around to the question of people challenging incumbents. Will Brent Barton go after Patrick Sheehan in his newly re-organized HD 51? HD 37 is vulnerable, as is HD 30. The question is: will strong candidates come forward who will get their asses to work immediately and do the hard slog necessary to win, something we have not always seen in the past.
(Big hint: If you move into the district to run, just 'fess up to your carpetbaggery and don't try to fib about it. If you are a good candidate, and you work to be part of your new community, you'll get the support.)
Entries submitted via smartphone from a drinking establishment are particularly welcome. They are likely to be closer to the truth than whatever I pull from my butt. And please: don't forget the sunscreen.
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2:47 p.m.
Jul 11, '11
As far as HD 30 goes, when David Edwards decided to leave the state legislature, the Wash Co folks dug up Ainge. This time they have a good candidate in David Robinson, who lives in the District, is a graduate of Annapolis, and a Commander in the Navy. He is politically savvy, progressive, and ready to go.
4:01 p.m.
Jul 11, '11
and he got his feet wet challenging Wu in 2010 (i'm thinking of the right guy, aren't i?)
4:40 p.m.
Jul 11, '11
Yes, you are.
9:59 a.m.
Jul 12, '11
I think HD30 would be well served by David Robinson. Over the holiday weekend we discussed his plans, he is building a good team and will be ready to go very soon. His long experience in public service, leadership training in the Navy and in my opinion a generally progressive outlook are a solid combination.
4:43 p.m.
Jul 11, '11
One thing I'd note: A lot of this is speculation. Nothing's announced until it's announced.
Case in point: While Rep. Barker has been widely expected to retire, the O's Jeff Mapes reports that he's still considering.
Decisions to run for office - especially higher office - are deeply personal. I learned a long time ago that one shouldn't make assumptions based on political calculations - because the politics are often the last consideration in a potential candidate's thought process.
8:54 p.m.
Jul 11, '11
Excellent picture of Megan Rapinoe, the former UP player and current super sub for the US Woman's team who had the crucial assist in yesterday's match against Brazil.
9:07 a.m.
Jul 12, '11
she's a Pilot? even better! the announcers don't mention where the players went to college, but the NCAA is the major women's league in America right now. i'd love to see Merritt fund a woman's team in Pdx - great excuse to bring Rapinoe back to town. a new women's pro team in Pdx, with her on the team, would, i think, do pretty well. (bring back Shannon Milbrett & Tiffany MacMillan, too.)
way off topic, but very productive. thanks, Kurt.
9:52 p.m.
Jul 11, '11
All I'll say, is Run, Teddy, Run!
9:43 a.m.
Jul 12, '11
Regarding HD50---Wang doesn't have a chance against Matthews. I'd have to go back to my notes from the last campaign but Wang, while a nice enough person, did not have the knowledge base, personability or ability to get "off message" in order to actually answer questions that Matthews had then and still has now.
12:02 p.m.
Jul 14, '11
Greg is tremendous fit for his District, and he considers his constituents first in his decision making. He listens; he cares, and while I will have an occasional disagreement with him on policy issues, he is in politics for the right reason - to truly serve his community. Simply put, and as my dad would say, Greg is Good People.