For Release: June 9, 2008

The Independent Party of Oregon, the state's third largest political party, yesterday nominated one candidate for the Oregon House of Representatives and 2 candidates for county commissions.

• Oregon House of Representatives, District 4: Keith Wangle (www.votekeith.net)
• District 4 centers on Gold Hill and includes Central Point, part of Medford, and the outskirts around Grants Pass
• Wallowa County Commissioner #2: Ken Wick
• Curry County Commissioner #1: Stephen "Chip" Bradley

The Independent Party will continue to hold nominating caucuses until August 26, with a goal of providing a candidate in every legislative race in Oregon where there is no competition between the major parties. The next nominating caucus is scheduled for June 22, 2008.

In 8 out of the 15 races for Oregon Senate and 25 out of 60 the races for the Oregon House of Representatives, one of the major parties failed to offer any candidate in the primary election. While it is possible that some of those empty nominations will be filled by those receiving write-in votes cast in the primary election, it is likely that most of those districts in the November 2008 election will see no competition among major party candidates for those offices.

"There are 1.2 million Oregon voters who will not have a real choice of legislative candidates the ballot in November, unless the Independent Party fields a candidate. We intend to find a credible candidate for every uncontested legislative district in the state," said party secretary, Sal Peralta, who is tasked with candidate recruitment. "We are looking for civic-minded candidates of all political persuasions and parties in every community in Oregon."

"We are going to bring strong candidates with practical solutions, who are not beholden to big bucks and special interests, to voters in every corner of Oregon," added Linda Williams, state chair.