Another House Republican Jumps Ship
Today, State Representative Susan Morgan (R-Roseburg) announced that she will not run for re-election in 2008. The decision makes her the eighth House Republican to quit the legislature, along with Karen Minnis, Wayne Scott, Donna Nelson, John Dallum, Jerry Krummel, Tom Butler, and Brian Boquist.
From the Oregonian:
Roseburg Republican Rep. Susan Morgan joins the exodus of veteran House Republicans who are quitting the Legislature.Morgan has served five terms, and has heavy expertise in state budget matters. She is the seventh House Republican to step down.
Asked whether other incumbents would not return, House Republican caucus spokesman Nick Smith said, "God, I hope not."
Read the rest. At this point, it's not a question of how many House Republicans are leaving, it's a question of whether any are staying.
Discuss.
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Sept. 14, 2007
Posted in in the news 2007. |
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Sep 14, '07
As always, this is welcome news as the Republicans will have to commit more resources to an open race than they would have to defending an incumbent. The article mentions that a Republican Roseburg councilperson has already filed papers for the seat.
Any word on Democratic challengers? Was this Kitzhaber's seat back in the day, or did he start off in the Senate? Maybe he could be encouraged to campaign for a good Dem challenger...
Sep 14, '07
p.s. The Oregonian politics blog had quite a bit today on candidate filings (or not), including the very heartening news that Karen Minnis will NOT be running for anything next year, in particular the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners. Perhaps we've seen the last of the big, bad witch of the East? Or what else could she have her sights on?
4:14 p.m.
Sep 14, '07
Maybe she plans on lying low for awhile in the hopes that we forget about her...like we could ever forget such a memorable (more like infamous) person.
7:04 p.m.
Sep 14, '07
I'd be fascinated to know how many other states are experiencing this phenomenon.
Also, what Dems are leaving open seats? I'm aware of the following:
Jackie Dingfelder, running for the open Senate seat Ryan Deckert Ben Westlund, running for Treasurer Kate Brown, running for Sec. of State
8:59 p.m.
Sep 14, '07
Pete, Senator Deckert will be resigning - and a replacement will be appointed. So, it won't exactly be "open".
And while there's much rumor about Senator Westlund, he hasn't yet announced anything. Never count ones chickens, yadda yadda.
Sep 15, '07
Must not be as much fun for the Rs when they can't bully the opposition.
Sep 16, '07
Dear Tom Civiletti:
"Must not be as much fun for the Rs when they can't bully the opposition."
Oh boohoo...the Dems should be embarrassed for letting a bunch of fat old men sitting around in basements (alledged Rs) for bullying them in the first place right? The Dems need to stop taking them monthly estrogen shots they hand out at DemHQ to all loyal party members. Stop your whining pro victim.
9:18 a.m.
Sep 16, '07
Sounds like someone has a bad case of testosterone poisoning. Tell me, if I decided I wanted to join the new Republican party, the one purged of those wishy-washy moderates, would I have to attend misogyny reeducation camp?
Sep 16, '07
DJD, you are adorable! Do you come in a little camouflage vest, too?
Seriously: Whatever time machine component stranded you here, I'm sure the boys at OIT can put it right and get you sent back to good old 1955 so you and John Wayne can get back to fighting the red menace.
1:11 p.m.
Sep 16, '07
Kari The word is out Ben Westlund is going to run for Treasurer. Senate District 27 will be a tough for any Democrat, even Ben. Friday at the Truman Club of Central Oregon's annual Gala where Bend was awarded the "Give Em Hell Harry" award, Stacey Dycus wouldn't say so officially, but intonated that in fact Ben would run for State Treasurer.
Sep 16, '07
Hay, come on, Tom said this: "Must not be as much fun for the Rs when they can't bully the opposition," that was too good to pass up. I thought I was back on the playground in 2nd grade.
Sep 16, '07
Hey, I thought we were back in... umm... wherever it is that they give people estrogen shots, I guess.
Don't worry about it bud! It's all in fun. :)
Sep 16, '07
I would imagine the recent tide of Republicans leaving is due to them having all the political ties they need to become stinking rich. Politics is really just a muse to the Republicans. Their only belief in politics is that its a tool to get rich on inside deals and power plays. The whole thing about them having an agenda supporting overturnign Roe V Wade and lowering taxes is just to build base votes. I have personally known two people that were elected to positions that are Republican, they both left when they had all the wheeling and dealing done to retire with enough wealth to help an entire community, but they just kept it.
10:57 p.m.
Sep 16, '07
I would imagine the recent tide of Republicans leaving is due to them having all the political ties they need to become stinking rich.
If you're right, CNSkate, about "politics is really just a muse", then I suspect you've got it exactly backwards.... Oregon Republicans are now out of power: they're going to have to actually work to make some money now, not just do legislative favors for their friends.
8:58 p.m.
Sep 17, '07
Oops, how could I forget:
Greg Macpherson, running for AG (pretty sure that's official)
Jeff Merkley, running for Senate (oh yeah, him!)
At any rate, looks like it will be a fun election season…
<h2>Related question: if Walker, Avakian, and/or Prozanski (Senators not up for reelection in '08) should win in their bids for statewide office, that means their respective county commissions will appoint their successors, right? How are things looking in that case?</h2>