Alan Bates a possible challenger for Smith?

John Doty

Crossposted, with some mods at DailyKos, where I spend most of my blog time and mostly lurking. The Kossacks  (and others who watch congressional possibilities) were all abuzz when there was chance of a DeFazio challenge to Gordon Smith for US Senate seat coming up for Oregon in 2008...but that died an early death when Representative DeFazio made his intentions known, and a senate race was not in the cards.  There are two declared Dems in the race and primary noise coming also from the GOP side.

When I last put my ear actively to the ground, the name that drifted to me was an interesting one, but also one that is not in the actual running : former R-turned-I (now-apparently-turned-D) Ben Westlund... the name dropped, but not apparently in the right statewide race (more on that some other time).

Two Dems are in and there is not yet a jelling of progressive energy behind PDX-area activist Steve Novick or business man Ty Pettit, and that means other murmurs are not yet stilled about other possibilities. One that reached me unbidden is one that def piques MY interest and may get pulses beating for some of the rest of you - State Senator Alan Bates. More on Bates and why I think he's a likely and viable entrant below the fold...

So what does Bates bring to the table? A solid background as a crafter of legislation with enough bipartisan appeal to bring people across the aisle to him. He's a veteran (Army, one tour in Vietnam). He's a respected medical doctor (Chief of Medicine at both of the major hospitals in this region). He's demonstrated an ability to win races where the registration edge does not favor a Dem.

from his bio:

He has served as chief of medicine at both RVMC and Providence Medical Center, and a board member of a group of primary care physicians. He served three terms on the Eagle Point School Board and an appointed term on the Governor’s task force on Quality in Education.

In 1989, Dr. Bates was appointed to the Health Services Commission, which was instrumental in producing and implementing the Oregon Health Plan. He was re-appointed by Governor Barbara Roberts and again by Governor John Kitzhaber, M.D. He led and chaired the commission for three years, until resigning to run for public office.

 

Alan Bates did a successful stint in the State Legislature before making the jump to the State Senate in '04 to complete Hannon's vacated term, he then ran for a new full term in '06. Both his wins were comfortable and ahead of the registration margin. (I might find and add these numbers in an update, or if a commenter can point me to some).

Now I am hearing some interesting noises from some of the usual suspects down in these parts (these part of which I know nothing, according to some). I know Dr Bates has an experienced team assembled around him (either in current staff and advisory roles, or in easily reconstitutable reach) that could be a campaign staff pretty easily - people with roots in Bend, on the coast, and here in the Rogue Valley.

He likely can tap organizational and funding help from other Dems in both chambers, as he was very highly regarded in the House, and after moving to the Senate, he was immediately installed in a leadership role, despite being a mid-term rookie. He is currently the Majority Whip.

BlueOregon folks could also try to drive visibility of the dKos diary up... the OR Sen race is one which should merit national visibility.

By John Doty May 08, 2007