I think she should go for it! She would be an excellent addition to the legislature!

In keeping with the grand tradition of ignoring the serious concerns of constituents in N./N.E., I think Karol would fit right in. She's already proven she knows how THAT works.

She'd have my vote. Our State government needs more strong, smart, compassionate women.

Karol would be a disaster on so many levels but I love how her pals at BlueOregon are trying to force the issue by posting this topic.

How about someone that has truly worked for the interests of Multnomah County (vs being a shill for a commissioner). Shields has earned the position more than any other. Kotek is another possibility but she needs to start thinking about Multnomah County more.

Oh hell no

It is great to have so many good people. Kotek, Shields, Collymore, Bowman, so much talent and energy....and the best part is I live in SD22. I would gladly stand with any of these fine folks and knock on my neighbors' doors to talk with them about who would be best.

I'll be watching, good luck to all the good potential candidates.

Oh and haters? Shut up and go back to Utah or the rock from which you crawled or the slime pool or whatever.

More power to her. Karol has a tenancity that would come in handy. it would be up to those in her district to decide if she has the background and skills to represent them, and the state.

I say go for it Karol.

I'm a huge fan of Cogen, and always applaud his progressive policies...but being one of his staffers (not even his Chief of Staff) really doesn't qualify someone to jump into the Oregon Senate.

Karol may want to run for office someday...but I think political appointments at the OR Senate level should go to leaders who have either run before for a comparably sized office, or are currently serving in another elected capacity. Kotek, Shields, and Bowman all share those common backgrounds.

I think Shields and Bowman should be strongly considered.

In re: anonymous comments

Not everyone who chooses to comment here has the luxury of being paid partisans. For many of us, anonymity is a must because of possible career reprocussions. I speak from first hand knowledge.

Now don't get me wrong, taking potshots at people from behind that veil is chickenshit at best and those comments should be ignored on that basis alone. Free speech can only be free if the speaker is free to say them. (Doesn't mean you can't challenge what they say)

Other than her posts, I don't know much about her. When the posts says worked with NARAL and Basic Rights Oregon (two organizations I admire) does that mean she had a paid position for them or just volunteered some time? Other govt experience?

Here's another tidbit for your gossip chain - I, Jim Robison, will add my name to the list as well. All of those named above would be perfectly good selections for the position, and I expect Chip Shields (as the senior State Representative in the District) to be the first choice. He has said he wants it, and I would be very happy to have Chip as my State Senator. Since the Precinct Committeepeople must nominate 3 to 5 candidates, I am adding my name, so that I can use this opportunity to speak out strongly in support of universal single payer health care and other issues. I look forward to talking with the Democratic Precinct Committeepeople who will make the nominations.

Karol would be an incredible addition to the legislature. She's smart, passionate, dedicated, and she's a real bridge builder. She's have my vote for anything she wanted to do, and I think she'd be a terrific state senator, very much in the dynamic tradition of Senator Carter. Karol understands how government works, and how to work on a broad range of issues that involve listening to problems and creating solutions. And while she was a paid staffer at NARAL and BRO in the past, she has remained a volunteer activist and gives generously of her time and skill to lots of causes.

"Shut up and go back to Utah or the rock from which you crawled or the slime pool or whatever."

"I love how anonymous blowhards post their nasty little digs..hiding behind their made up names. Cowardice loves the nasty."

"Agreed...well, at least about the anonymous blowhards. I hope cowards like those posting above have actually run for office and experienced some of the garbage they're dishing out."

"I get the need for some people to comment anonymously. It's the taking potshots from that position that I think is complete bullshit.

It's one thing to disagree. It's quite another just to be an anonymous asshole."

But here at B.O. we don't hate. And look how brave we are...

I don't think getting paid or not, really gets to the point of anything. It's a red-herring from earlier posts. Many volunteers are strong leaders, many paid staffers are strong worker bees...but not so strong as leaders.

It depends too what elected official someone is Chief of Staff for. Historically, former staffers have had mixed results running for office in their own right.

Nick Kahl was a good Cogen staffer who spent a lot of time running for his own office and won, Jim Middaugh was a great Chief of Staff for Eric Sten who ran and got beat 3 to 1. But they both ran for office on their own. As opposed to what the movie, City Hall with Al Pacino, called career staffer John Cusack's charater; a 'walker'.

Take someone like Josh Kardon (for example, and there are many examples of well connected COSs in OR we could use) who has been COS to Ron Wyden for many years. I could see people getting behind his appointment to the OR House, but even with his experience, I could see a lot of people questioning whether he had earned an appointment to the OR Senate. The fact that the Senate is the upper chamber for the OR legislature should in fact matter to some degree.

If Shields or Kotek is appointed, this will all play out again for their respective House seats, and it would be my wish that residents with proven track records of public leadership and executive experience be nominated to the Board of Commissioners to fill those seats.

Remember, we're taking the voter out of the process when we fill legislative vacancies by political appointment. Let's make sure there's evidence that voters would have selected this person, had there been a traditional election.

I think Karol would be great! If you get if Karol, I'd be happy to come to pdx and volunteer on your campaign!!

isnt collymore the one who, while working in cogen's office, called persons opposed to the renaming of 39th racists? didn't she bash a school board chair who ran against her fellow staffer last year, current sitting representative nick kahl? she's got a shot? why? why does she even have a shot compared to shields? what has she done in her life to warrant following carter?

I apologize for my anger at all the B.O. people. I'm just feeling pissed off that once again people with developmental disabilities are being placed behind issues that effect us ALL. I've spent the last 1 1/2 months of my life trying to get air conditioners to those who need AC to keep them well, with not-enough-positive-reults.

If people like Karol showed they cared, my life would be that much less whacked. Again, I apologize.

A an elected PCP in Washington County, I have been involved in a couple such appointment conventions (Mark Hass here in SD14) and I can tell you, it's great to see people of all shapes, sizes and ages apply for these positions. Obviously some have more energy, experience, or whatever than others, but with few exceptions they all bring something important to the table: ideas and perspective. I encourage all serious Senate-wannabes to apply. And yes it's VERY important (and fun) to become a Democratic PCP in your house district, you can apply for appointment at the monthly county Democratic Central Committee meetings (by coincidence Washington County Dems meet next Wednesday Aug 26 at the Beaverton Round!)

<h2>I think Karol would be a great candidate and a fantastic addition to the legislature. We lost two strong, smart, dynamic women when Sen. Walker and Sen. Carter resigned. Karol would bring the kind of passionate and organized focus to get things done and as an added bonus, she is a great coalition builder. I think we would be well served by having another competant, intellegent woman in leadership. I hope she puts her name forward for the appointment.</h2>