The members of Independent Party of Oregon (IPO) in the 1st Congressional District of Oregon have nominated Suzanne Bonamici for U.S. Representative.
She won the nomination by receiving votes of 56 IPO members residing in the 1st District. Finishing second was Rob Cornilles with 31 votes.
Ms. Bonamici is also the nominee of the Democratic Party for the same office. Rob Cornilles is the nominee of the Republican Party for that office.
Under Oregon's "fusion" voting law, the winner of this election will be allowed to print the name "Independent Party" next to her name on the ballot in the January 31, 2012, Special Election to fill the remainder of the term of David Wu, who resigned from Congress in August.
"We knew it would be tough for the candidates to turn out the voters for a one-office special election, particularly when voters were required to go to a website, download a ballot, and return it with ID," said party secretary Sal Peralta.
"When we allowed members to vote online, the turnout for Congressional candidates was as much as 10 times higher," said party co-chair Linda Williams.
