If appointed to Metro, Gov. Roberts won't run in 2012

Kari Chisholm

We haven't made note of it here at BlueOregon yet, but there's an interesting development happening over at Metro. Namely, they've hired a former reporter - Nick Christensen - to run his own independent news operation, reporting on Metro. He writes what he wants, and doesn't get approval from Metro executives. Pretty fascinating stuff. (Here's a good piece from the O's Eric Mortenson about the development.)

In any case, it was Christensen who broke the news that Governor Barbara Roberts says that while she's seeking the appointment for the vacant Metro Council seat, she won't run for a full term in 2012.

Former Oregon Gov. Barbara Roberts applied for the District 6 Metro Council vacancy on Wednesday, saying she was recruited for the position based on concerns that there might not be a majority for any other candidate for the seat.

Roberts, 74, said she's not interested in running for the seat in 2012. That's in contrast to the two perceived front-runners, Bob Shiprack and Bob Stacey, who both have said they'll be on the ballot next year. ...

In fact, Roberts told Christensen, if there is a majority for another candidate, she'd likely withdraw.

Roberts said she could withdraw from consideration for the position if it appears as though a majority is coalescing around a candidate.

"I'm not wanting to shut anyone else out," she said. "I just want to make sure there are the votes there, so they don't get bogged down and we don't have to go through weeks of a long, drug-out experience, which is hard for the council and the community."

There's more on this development from OPB and the Oregonian.

By Kari Chisholm Feb. 11, 2011