Avakian considering Secretary of State bid
Senator Brad Avakian said Friday that he is considering running for the Secretary of State and will announce his decision on July 31st.
From a message via Washington County Dems:
My family and I are carefully considering this opportunity and together we will make a family decision. I want to thank all of those who have supported me through the years and appreciate all of their calls encouraging me to run. I have great respect for my colleagues who have already thrown their hats into the race. I recognize that the primary will be incredibly close, but I must weigh my deep regard for the office of Secretary of State against all other factors.
Avakian served as chair of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee during the 2007 Legislative Session where he championed many successful bills including the Oregon Renewable Energy Act, the first update of the Oregon Bottle Bill since its landmark passage over 30 years ago, and continued state funding for wildfire suppression. Avakian was elected to the Oregon Senate in 2006 with more than 65 percent of the vote.
Avakian will join Senators Kate Brown and Vicki Walker if he enters the race.
Discuss.
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July 15, 2007
Posted in in the news 2007. |
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Jul 15, '07
I'll put my naievete on display here, but what the heck's so compelling about the SOS position? It's so technocratic (at least ideally). Is it simply another rung on a taller ladder?
8:49 p.m.
Jul 15, '07
The Secretary of State administers the state's elections, oversees state audits, and sits on the state land board. Most importantly, the next Secretary of State will be responsible for reapportionment, the drawing of house and senate legislative districts.
Democrats are lucky to be looking at three strong choices. Brad is among the hardest working and most effective members in Salem, and his work this session was instrumental in passing the renewable energy standard and moving our state toward energy independence.
I'd like to see him in this race. Washington county is critical for any statewide effort and, among other things, Brad brings a record of accomplishment -- and service to his district -- that will it make it very difficult for any Republican in the general election.
Go Brad!
Jul 15, '07
How safe is his seat? Given his apparent popularity, I presume that a generic Dem would get far less than 65%? Or would this be between terms for him, so that he wouldn't lose his seat if he lost the primary?
Jul 15, '07
Avakian will be midterm (as in elected in '06 and not up again until '10 ) Is that how one abbreviates 2010?
Anyway,
Its going to get interesting, 2 Portland area people with great values and campaign experience plus one feisty Eugenean who has been a very visible fighter for progressive ideals and been through several tough campaigns herself.
Who gets the Albany/Salem vote?
James Mattiace
2:17 a.m.
Jul 16, '07
The Secretary of State administers the state's elections, oversees state audits, and sits on the state land board.
Also, the SOS runs the Corporations Division. That's mostly just the place where you do the paperwork to launch your business - so it doesn't get much attention. But, like a lot of things in government, it's invisible until something goes terribly wrong.
Both Avakian and Walker are mid-term. If one of them wins the race, they'd give up their seat - and someone would be appointed. Brown is not mid-term. Expect a bunch of candidates for her seat in 2008.
7:53 a.m.
Jul 16, '07
How safe is his seat? Given his apparent popularity, I presume that a generic Dem would get far less than 65%? Or would this be between terms for him, so that he wouldn't lose his seat if he lost the primary?
I live in Brad's district. If he runs for SOS and loses, he'd still have his senate seat.
This district has moved pretty solidly into the blue camp if for no other reason than the Oregon GOP has been absolutely horrible at candidate recruitment. In 06 they had some guy named Piotr Kuklinsky (who still has signs up in a few places) jump in at the last minute. Avakian creamed him.
10:18 a.m.
Jul 16, '07
Oh, and for anyone who is slightly naive, there's one other aspect to the Secretary of State position: it's a major Statewide office. Meaning that a successful stint in the job gives you automatic credibility with voters if you want to run for Governor.
5:31 p.m.
Jul 16, '07
Just about every Secretary of State has run for Governor at some point. Phil Keisling and Bill Bradbury, who have not (yet), are rare exceptions in that department.
1:43 a.m.
Jul 17, '07
Steve Maurer wrote: "there's one other aspect to the Secretary of State position: it's a major Statewide office. Meaning that a successful stint in the job gives you automatic credibility with voters if you want to run for Governor."
I said it last year: Brad Avakian is uniquely suitable as a winning candidate for Governor. He sort of blushed and said the equivalent of aw shucks, but Avakian would make history for Oregon as governor. And then off to D.C.
Jul 17, '07
Me thinks Charlie's statement, "Most importantly, the next Secretary of State will be responsible for reapportionment, the drawing of house and senate legislative districts" is not completely accurate.
The SecState only draws the lines if the Legislature and Governor don't agree on a plan. With Democrats capable of holding all three leadership spots, the SecState will be less important unless there is internal bickering.
Of course it is also possible the Republicans will retake the House.
In any event, the office of the SecState certainly will be immersed in the reapportioning issue whether or not he or she is "responsible" for finally approving a plan.
3:18 p.m.
Jul 17, '07
Darrell is right: The Secretary of State may be in charge of apportionment (as Bradbury was last time), but this certainly is not a foregone conclusion like it was in 2000. And I don't think the Republicans have a shot at taking back the House next year.
Jul 18, '07
Brad is my Senator. He came to our monthly pancake and politics breakfast in the neighborhood Saturday, where he shared the news with us.
One thing that I really like is that he doesn't plan on running as a stepping stone to the 2010 Governor's race. He has some amazing ideas of what he could do as SOS. I will leave that discussion for the campaign should he decide to run. I wonder if the other two potential SOS's could make the same pledge, as it seems they may be using this as a launch to a run in '10.