Hosticka Enters Leg Race; Lehan Staying Put

WWeek:

<img src="http://www.wweek.com/portland/imgs/media.images/7817/hosticka.t2.jpg"/>

We jumped the gun earlier this month, reporting that Metro Councilor <span>Carl Hosticka</span> was seeking the Democratic nomination in House District 37 (Tualatin, West Linn, Durham and Stafford).

At the time, Hosticka—who represented Lane County in the House of Representatives from 1983 to 1994, part of that time as House Democratic majority leader—had merely filed an exploratory committee.

Today, however, Hosticka, 67, announced he will seek the seat currently held by Rep. <span>Julie Parrish</span> (R-West Linn).

"I think we need to do better in Salem and I think we can do better," Hosticka says.

In a related note, current Clackamas County Chairwoman <span>Charlotte Lehan</span> emailed <span>WW</span> to debunk rumors that she will exit the four-way race for chair to run for the Metro District 3 seat Hosticka has held since 2000. Other candidates for Lehan's chair include State Rep. <span>Dave Hunt </span>(D-Gladstone), Commissioner <span>Paul Savas </span>and former Wilsonville Mayor <span>John Ludlow</span>.

"Absolutely not," Lehan responded when asked if she's switching to the Metro race. I have told <span>Craig Dirksen </span>[who filed for Hosticka's Metro seat] that I support him for the position and I am happy to endorse him."

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