Kulongoski Scores Major Endorsements

Jeff Mapes has the story for Oregonlive's politics blog.

A year ago, they were both thinking of launching independent candidacies against Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski. Now former Gov. John Kitzhaber and state Sen. Ben Westlund, I-Bend, are working for his re-election.

Kitzhaber, who decided in January that he wouldn't run after all, told Portland State University students at a rally that he was backing Kulongoski because of his "impressive record" on the environment. Kitzhaber said he also cut a radio ad for the governor.

Westlund did actually run as an independent. But he pulled the plug on his candidacy in August after deciding he could not win. Westlund is now signed up to do a fly-around with Kulongoski on Saturday, with campaign stops in Salem, Pendleton, Baker City, Bend and Coos Bay.

Oct. 27, 2006 Posted in in the news 2006.