OR-GOV: Steve Shields bows out

Carla Axtman

Despite my damn fine profile on him posted yesterday here at the big Blue O, Democratic candidate for Oregon Governor Steve Shields is dropping out.

I spoke briefly with Betsy Henning, Shields' campaign manager. Hennings said that they discovered during the process that Shields' skill set wasn't a good match for what needed to be done to mount a competitive gubernatorial campaign.

The campaign also sent out a short press release:

CORVALLIS, ORE. – Oregon gubernatorial candidate Steve Shields today announced he will withdraw from the May 2010 Democratic primary.

“Despite our best efforts, we have not been able to reach the aggressive fundraising goals we believed necessary to mount a competitive campaign,” Shields said.

Shields, a newcomer to politics, did not know what kind of welcome to expect from political insiders when he began his exploration more than a year ago. “I was pleased to find that nearly everyone was open to and willing to listen to a new voice,” Shields said.

“In the end, while money is what’s driving our decision today, it’s not the only factor,” according to Shields. “I found that other aspects of campaigning did not play to my personal strengths and that, at this time, my talents would be better suited to other endeavors.”

“I will seek other ways to contribute to our state’s future prosperity. But I have no regrets. Our toughest problems fall to our political leaders to solve. I encourage others to take heart and try what I did. It can be done,” said Shields.

Shields initiated his campaign to address Oregon’s most important challenges: reversing the state’s chronic unemployment and stabilizing education funding. He remains committed to contributing to the solving of these problems.

Shields has an open letter at his website that talks further about his decision.

By Carla Axtman Nov. 19, 2009