HD-29: Ben Unger, Katie Riley challenge Katie Eyre
Kari Chisholm
Late Friday, the O's Jeff Mapes reported that Katie Riley would seek a rematch against Rep. Katie Eyre (R-Hillsboro).
Riley, whose husband Chuck held the seat for three terms before running unsuccessfully for the Senate in 2010, said she thinks the dynamics of the race might be more favorable for her this time.
She thinks Democratic turnout will be higher in 2012 than it was in 2010, and she also charged that Republicans used the 30-30 split in the House to prevent any significant job-creation legislation from passing.
After his initial post went up, Mapes updated his story to note that Ben Unger will also be running for the seat:
[Unger] is also reportedly going to run for the seat. Unger has formed a campaign committee but hasn't filed for the seat at this point.
Unger is best known as a hard-charging politico, having run the successful 2008 AG campaign for John Kroger and organized 2010 campaigns for the Senate Democrats. He was also a key leader in the campaigns for Measures 66 and 67, and for the Portland school bonds last year.
(Sidenote: The incumbent prefers to be known now as Katie Eyre, rather than Katie Eyre Brewer.)
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2:16 p.m.
Oct 8, '11
This is really exciting news for Democrats. Ben Unger is one of the sharpest democratic minds in Oregon. He would bring great leadership to Salem.
2:28 p.m.
Oct 8, '11
I’m excited to see Ben Unger in the race. Oregon would be hard-pressed to find another candidate as hard working and passionate. House District 29 needs a democratic candidate who will be viable in the 2012 general election- I think Ben is that candidate.
2:59 p.m.
Oct 8, '11
Ben, sign me up.
4:15 p.m.
Oct 8, '11
Ben cares deeply about Oregon's future, and he's worked tirelessly and intelligently for many years to ensure Oregon families get a fair shake. Our legislature desperately needs smart, energetic and passionate people like Ben.
4:36 p.m.
Oct 8, '11
This is great news. Ben has worked for years enacting positive change across the state. Folks in HD 29 would be well served by his effective and proven leadership. His enthusiasm and dedication to moving Oregon forward are things we could use in a state legislator.
5:09 p.m.
Oct 8, '11
I spent last year working in HD-29 and saw firsthand how tough of a campaign Katie Eyre ran. After seeing Ben perform at the highest level for years, I cannot imagine anyone outworking him and that kind of effort is going to be required to win this seat back. Ben will be an excellent addition to the legislature and I am excited to help him win in 2012.
8:02 p.m.
Oct 8, '11
While I'm sure Ben is a fine person, it would be nice if actually lived in the district and knew about it instead of carpetbagging. Katie has actually lived and worked in this district, and knows the people and the challenges they face. She would be an incredible addition to the Oregon House.
9:34 a.m.
Oct 9, '11
My understanding is that Ben grew up in the district.
2:15 p.m.
Oct 9, '11
Ben did grow up in that district. I doubt there are many Representatives who could say that.
11:24 a.m.
Oct 10, '11
Ben is from there, as others have said. Unger Farm is owned by his parents.
9:10 p.m.
Oct 16, '11
It's nearly a week later, so I doubt very many folks will see this, but Unger Farm is actually not in HD-29. So, a little corrective detail is in order.
Per UngerFarms.com, it's at 34880 SW Johnson School Rd. Cornelius OR, 97113.
That address was in HD-26 (Wingard) and is now in HD-24 (Weidner).
Of course, the farm also has a Cornelius mailing address (though I don't think it's in the city.) The city of Cornelius is almost entirely in HD-29, which is probably why Ben considers this new district to be his hometown district.
10:13 p.m.
Oct 8, '11
Ben is from Cornelius, the heart of HD-29; his family farms there. Ben wants to represent the community that made him who he is, in the place that he calls home. That's not carpetbagging.
Ben is the hardest-working person I know, and his understanding of the intricacies of crafting effective policy is unmatched. Aside from a comprehensive knowledge of issues, he knows how to work with people--both those who agree and disagree with him. He takes challenges in stride and gets the job done even when things don't go exactly to plan. He listens, learns and leads.
His boundless work ethic and desire to design real solutions to problems the people of Oregon face is exactly what the legislature needs, what the people of Oregon need. We must ask for a candidate who can not just win the seat but also do great things with it. Ben can and will do that. I'm among the many who look forward to working hard to help him win this seat.
8:44 a.m.
Oct 9, '11
I'm delighted Ben is running. I met him on the Kroger campaign. He will make an excellent representative.
6:12 a.m.
Oct 10, '11
Hopefully Ben and Katie will show the sort of leadership on the CRC highway mega-project that Rep. Eyre has. She's been a leading voice against the boondoggle.
11:06 a.m.
Oct 10, '11
This comment by Evan is spot on. Eyre has been excellent on this.
11:25 a.m.
Oct 10, '11
Go Ben!
8:00 p.m.
Oct 11, '11
I worked with Ben as part of Kroger's campaign and during the 2009 leg, when we were staffing different elected offices. He campaigns harder than almost anyone I have known and cares about a lot about this state.