Starr Picks Up Steam In Labor Commissioner Race

WWeek:

<img src="http://www.wweek.com/portland/imgs/media.images/5061/lede_3733(starr).t2.jpg"/>

State Sen. <span>Bruce Starr </span>(R-Hillsboro) reported checks last Friday from a couple of bold-faced names in his effort to unseat incumbent Labor Commissioner <span>Brad Avakian</span>.

Although the race is non-partisan, the GOP has its eye on picking up its first-statewide elected position since former U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton) lost to challenger Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) in 2008.

Starr is in the middle of a four-year Senate term and thus has a no-risk shot at Avakian, who is coming off a big loss to now-U.S. Rep. <span>Suzanne Bonamici</span> (D-Beaverton) in the November, 2011 special Democratic primary election to replace former U.S. Rep. David Wu.

In recent days, <span>Stimson Lumber</span> wrote Starr a <span>$25,000</span> check and Portland property magnate <span>Melvin "Pete" Mark</span> gave him $1,000. Starr now has $43,000 on hand.

Avakian, who officially launched his re-election campaign last week, currently has $25,000 on hand, nearly half of which—$12,000—he transferred from money left over in his Congressional fundraising committee.

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