Candy Neville in the Oregonian

Ahead of tonight's US Senate debate, the Oregonian profiles candidate Candy Neville:

U.S. Senate candidate Candy Neville figures she has about $700 in her campaign kitty. She has a cheering squad, but no organized support. Lots of passion against the war, but little political experience.

Yet, the real estate broker from Eugene astonished the political establishment with a second-place finish in a poll last week, ahead of Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley and behind Portland lawyer Steve Novick. Merkley and Novick are considered the front-runners in the Democratic race to unseat incumbent Republican Sen. Gordon Smith in the fall.

Analysts speculate her showing in a SurveyUSA poll may say more about the men's lack of traction than a surge in Neville's popularity. But it was enough to catapult her into the season's only televised primary Senate debate tonight, giving her the exposure she's doggedly sought since launching her campaign at a lonely news conference in November.

Waging a primary campaign has been like "slushing through snow up to my waist," she said.

"It's nigh on impossible; however, it's not impossible."

While Neville has focused extensively on her opposition to the war in Iraq, the article details some of her other positions and ideas:

While Novick and Merkley also favor withdrawing troops from Iraq, Neville has highlighted opposition to the war.

The war, she said, is responsible for the poor economy, the country's lack of resources and dreadful standing abroad.

She also favors a generous universal health care system, thinks illegal immigrants should be able to become legal and wants to use Oregon's rich natural resources to build a sustainable and prosperous economy.

"I want to get into the waves and solar and the wind, the things that actually provide energy," she said. "That's what I think comes after the war. For us to get into the good news, we have to get out of the bad."

Appalled by high campaign spending, Neville used to tell people to donate to their favorite charity instead. But a few months ago, she started accepting contributions through an online account.

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