Wu says goodbye. Resignation tomorrow?

Kari Chisholm

In a video filmed just before he voted Yes on the debt-ceiling compromise, Congressman David Wu explained his thoughts behind what he described as "likely to be my last vote".

Here's the closing paragraph:

This is a crucial vote. It is likely to be my last vote, and I want to thank the people of Oregon for giving me this, this seat in Congress temporarily, which is the greatest honor that an immigrant child can ever have-or any person in America can ever have. Thank you very much, and god speed to you all. Take care.

And yet, despite the rhetorical flourish, he's still not announced when he'll formally resign.

His announcement last Tuesday included this note about timing:

I therefore intend to resign effective upon the resolution of the debt-ceiling crisis.

Presumably, "resolution" includes a Senate vote and a signature by the President. (You know, just in case the Senate vote fails or the President decides to veto the bill.)

The Senate vote is scheduled for 9 a.m. Pacific time. No word on how fast they'll get the bill to the White House.

Assuming that Wu resigns tomorrow, Governor John Kitzhaber will then set an election date and candidates will have 10 days to file for the office.

Since the Governor has indicated that he prefers a primary election (rather than party nominating conventions), the general election will be at least 80 days after the formal resignation. (See the state law, ORS 188.120.)

80 days from August 2 is October 21. The primary election could be held prior to that date.

Of course, there's already an election scheduled for November 8, so it would make sense for the general election (or, for a really long timeline, the primary election) to be held on that date, saving the county clerks some money on ballot printing, mailing, and counting.

Update: Wu's spokesman, Erik Dorey, told the South County Spotlight that Wu's plan is to resign when the President signs the bill:

Beleaguered Congressman David Wu won't leave office until President Obama signs a debt limit bill into law, a spokesman told The Spotlight Monday. ...

"He pledged to stay through the crisis and the crisis isn't over until the President signs it into law," Wu spokesman Erik Dorey said. "We are not talking about weeks and weeks down the road."

By Kari Chisholm Aug. 01, 2011 Posted in Video.