OR-5: Kevin Mannix Running for Congress

Earlier today, Kevin Mannix officially announced that he is running for Congress in CD5.

From the Oregonian:

Kevin Mannix, a former legislator and an initiative activist, made if official Thursday -- he will run for the Fifth Congressional District seat being vacated by Democrat Rep. Darlene Hooley.

Mannix, a Republican, emphasized his experience, noting that he served five terms in the Oregon House. He portrayed himself as an effective, can-do lawmaker who backed get-tough-on-crime measures and worker's compensation reform.

Mannix noted that he got strong support from Fifth District voters in his statewide races. The district includes all of Marion, Polk, Tillamook and Lincoln counties, plus much of Clackamas County, Corvallis and a slice of southwest Portland.

Mannix had considered another run for attorney general but opted for the Congressional race after Hooley announced Feb. 7 that she would not run again.

He said that Gov. Ted Kulongoski helped him make the decision. Once Kulongoski, a Democrat, declared that Mannix would be difficult to defeat, "that sealed the deal," Mannix quipped.

Mannix will face Lake Oswego businessman Mike Erickson in the Republican primary. Erickson lost to Hooley in 2006.

Read the rest. Discuss.