Might this might make floor speeches during the "special" session a little longer and a little more political? What fun!

Either Paul or Dave would be great candidates. Although this will not be easy to hold, I think we should be able to. After all, with Oregon likely to go blue in November and the NRCC having serious money problems raising cash to defend their own seats, this won't be too much of a target for them.

Nick, thanks for that. I still have the Paul Evans tag on my key chain from the 2006 election. No question who I would vote for.

Not to criticize Hooley if there are unspoken reasons for why she is leaving (e.g., health), but she's left the party in a tough spot. With about one month to file, and about 14 weeks to the primary, it's going to be very difficult for anyone to organize a campaign and raise enough money to keep the seat in November. And yes, Republicans will be targeting this open seat heavily given the GOP registration edge. This will probably be in the top-5 targets nationally to turn.

I would NEVER vote for Paul Evans! He is the most inappropriate wannabe legislator I've ever encountered in my life. Especially with actual qualified candidates like Martha Schrader and Dave Hunt, there is no way Evans stands a chance.

Paul Evans would be a great candidate and a great Congressman.

This could be a gift in disguise, as the Repubs will spend a lot of money (that they don't have) to target a seat that is competitive but still a tough fight for them, while the Democrats have the resources to put into this race.

I agree with Darlene that, because this is a Presidential year, this is probably the best time for her to retire in this marginal district, given the anti-Republican atmosphere.

Hopefully this will drain Republican resources from all throughout the state, and perhaps state legislators too... with any luck, several Republican legislators will run for this seat and have to give up on their own seats.

May I second Pete Forsythe's comment! Darlene has given Oregon and the Country superb service, and she will really be missed. One more thing: I hope at some point Kari decides that people who identify themselves with titles like "Disgusted," so they can throw brickbats while hiding their identity, should not get posted. The need for dialog in preserving and promoting Democracy is critically important, and Blue Oregon provides an extremely valuable service to our State, but the need for that dialog to be responsible is at least equally great, and responsibility starts with letting each other know who's communicating.

I doubt that Dave Hunt will run since he has young children and is on track to become speaker next year. One of the Schraders (Kurt or Martha) will likely run. Fortunately, Darlene is kind enough to step down during a year that looks relatively good for the Democrats.

Darlene was an incredible advocate for her district, for veterans, for seniors, against the misguided Bush administration, and is a genuinely nice, caring, and fun person!

As someone who got his start with her (along with many others...), I want to say thank you, Darlene, for your service and for giving me the chance to work with you.

If she's got to go, she picked a good year to do it, with Democrats poised to sweep everywhere. This will be a likely hold. In fact, the increased turnout here for this race might be just what Merkely/Novick needs to push the US Senate seat into Democratic hands.

Paul is a former 2 term mayor of Monmouth, and served in the Air Force and the Oregon Air National Guard.

I do not agree that this happens so late that it jeopardizes our chances of winning 8-1/2 months from now in November. All the candidates will have to scramble to get their act together to compete in the primary, and the primary will be a good test to determine who will best represent Democrats in the fall. Certainly the possibility that Darlene would retire this year was a consideration for lots of potential candidates, and they have been grooming themselves for this opportunity for years.

Paul Evans is a great candidate! I hope he will run.

And Darlene Hooley has had a great career and been an extraordinary and tenacious political leader to win and hold this seat in a difficult district. She is to be congratulated.

Paul is a former 2 term mayor of Monmouth, and served in the Air Force and the Oregon Air National Guard.

I do not agree that this happens so late that it jeopardizes our chances of winning 8-1/2 months from now in November. All the candidates will have to scramble to get their act together to compete in the primary, and the primary will be a good test to determine who will best represent Democrats in the fall. Certainly the possibility that Darlene would retire this year was a consideration for lots of potential candidates, and they have been grooming themselves for this opportunity for years.

DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith's official statement on Rep. Hooley:

“Congresswoman Hooley served Oregon with distinction and dedication. We are grateful for her work protecting consumers, her unwavering support for our troops and National Guard and her leadership keeping methamphetamine out of our neighborhoods. She is much appreciated and will be greatly missed.”

Two words: Lynn Peterson

That's a win.

Thank you Darlene for all you have done for West Linn, Clackamas County and the State of Oregon.

Maybe we can talk the city into naming a park in your honor since that is how you got your start!

Many of us who have worked in Oregon politics owe a lot to Darlene. In her 12 years in Congress, her office served as a training-ground for so many politico-wannabes. She believed in us and trusted us even when we didn't deserve it.

What is remarkable about Darlene is not her voting record (although she has much to be proud of), but her personal touch. She has been a mentor for members of her staff and a compassionate ear for suffering constituents. She has given hope to countless individuals in need of veterans benefits or a social security check to put food on the table. She has empowered so many people by letting them know that their representative in Congress shares their concerns.

Her successor -- whomever it may be -- has some giant sneakers to fill.

I say we draft Mike Owens!

Rep. Dave Hunt has announced that he will not be a candidate. Newman, you're right, it's because he has young children.

Yes, Mike Owens would be a terrific choice. He's intelligent, articulate and passionate about the progressive movement. If not now, then definitely sometime soon.

A smart move would be to support one of the possible women for the 5th District, because there will be a lot more women making a point of voting for Hillary in the primary and probably general elections.

I agree, Michael Owens would be a great choice! I back Mike!

Thanks for the Service Darlene.

Great line about big "sneakers" to fill. Good one, Misha.

I also wanted to point out that this ...

"I hope at some point Kari decides that people who identify themselves with titles like "Disgusted," so they can throw brickbats while hiding their identity, should not get posted."

... was posted by Joe Smith. I wonder how John and Jane Doe feel about it?

Thanks Darlene, it's been a heck of run and a heck of a job.

We've got good people and a good year so this is an opportunity for you to step up.

Yes, we're at Willamette University and we've got one hell of a candidate. Run Mike run!

Law students don't live in dorms!

We are trying to draft one of our most promising students. He is reluctant as of now, but we are hoping to convince him, so let's start building his support.

http://owensfororegon.blogspot.com

So really... we know he probably isn't the most viable candidate today, but Mike Owens will be a name on the lips of many in the future of Oregon Politics.

How about Danny Glover???

I cannot believe the irresponsibility of this action. I just sent her $50 for her campaign. She was out pumping hard for campaign dollars. I want the money back to give to the person who will run in her place. Does she get to keep campaign donations? This is crap.

Hooley was one of the first "politicians" I met when I was a student. I remember seeing her at a small forum with about 15-20 students talking about how she first got involved after her son was injured on a playground. Darlene has been a passionate advocate for many admirable and just progressive causes and I for one will miss her; plus her Colbert interview was hilarious! Thanks Darlene for your many many years of faithful, selfless service to Oregon and to the our nation. You're a great woman!

Darlene Hooley has earned the respect of citizens in Oregon and across the country. We should all do well in commending Rep. Hooley for her record of service.

Let us also be vigilant in electing a strong successor. We can keep this seat blue.

How about Danny Glover???

:) Excellent! And he actually is a homeowner in the district.

GO DANNY GO!!!

32 years of public service???

Folks, politics is not public service anymore, it is a lucrative job, just like being managing partner in a law or accounting firm. She made a career of it. It was her job. It made her rich and famous. That's not public service. Hooley was a career politician and everybody here is speculating who will be the career politician to move into her position. Anybody who gets mentioned (other than celebrities and the district's mega-rich) gets the "who's that?" treatment. Stop fooling yourselves about "public service" okay. It's funny to hear other Dems talk about how only the rich and high profile members of a society are valid candidates. If a pastor, psychiatrist, artist or whatever, no matter how well-educated and personally accomplished, tried to run, he'd get smeared. Be Democrats, not hypocrites.

"Darlene was an incredible advocate for her district, for veterans, for seniors, against the misguided Bush administration, . . ."

All this praise for Darlene Hooley is unbelievable. The sentence above is pure fantasy. Hooley wrote an editorial piece in the Oregonian supporting a Bush administration effort to snoop through everyone's financial data without a warrant and calling 9/11 the bloodiest day in our nation's history. Apparently she had not heard of the civil war.

She voted for the "Patriot" Act. She voted for the Draconian "Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention Act," which was really just George Bush's gift to the rapacious finance business - the only beneficiaries were banks and credit card companies.

These judgments you people make - you ought to check your facts first. It's about time this woman got out of the way - we need a real progressive in her seat.