Big money in Brent Barton-Chuck Thomsen race

Jeff Mapes, Oregonian:

Oregon State Rep. Brent Barton, D-Clackamas, is a tough guy to fund-raise against. In his maiden political race two years ago, he raised more than $500,000 and unseated incumbent Republican Linda Flores. ...

Hood River Commissioner Chuck Thomsen, who Republicans hope can reclaim a seat they think should be theirs, got into the race much later and is still gearing up his own fundraising. But in the same fashion as Barton, Thomsen's first big money is coming from family.

His parents, Bob and Elizabeth Thomsen, who have a cattle ranch in Wyoming, each lent their son a total of $50,000 for his race.

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