Your lobby report on Oregon's 2012 legislative primary election

Oregonian:

Let's start with Mark Nelson, the influential business lobbyist who is the big force behind the Oregon Committee -- a group of like-minded lobbyists who strategize on legislation and political strategy.

Nelson had his fingerprints all over the campaign of Rep. Mike Schaufler, D-Portland, as did much of the business lobby. One of Nelson's firms did canvassing for Schaufler (which was paid for by wine and beer distributors) and he personally contributed to his campaign. All told, business interests ponied up about two-thirds of the more than $240,000 he raised for Schaufler, who often bucked his own party to side with business.

But Nelson and the business lobby lost big in this race. Schaufler was hammered by retiring teacher Jeff Reardon, who was championed early and in a big way by the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. You can bet the OLCV is chalking up this as a big win and will remind any Democrat with a lousy OLCV rating what could be in store for them.

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