Cornilles, Bonamici will compete in primary -- for Independent Party nomination
Jeff Mapes
Oregonian
November 09, 2011
Democrat Suzanne Bonamici and Republican Rob Cornilles aren't entirely through with the primary season in the special election race for Oregon's 1st Congressional District.
The two, who won their party primaries Tuesday, are also competing for the cross-nomination of the Independent Party of Oregon, the 68,000-member party announced Wednesday.
The party will hold a primary from Nov. 14-29 during which its members in the 1st Congressional District will be allowed to download a ballot from the party's website and mail it back to the party.
The winning candidate will also be able to list the nomination of the Independent Party on the ballot. Sal Peralta, the party's secretary, said being able to declare they are an "Independent" on the ballot is clearly something the candidates value.
Peralta argued that the Independent endorsement played a role in Democrat John Kitzhaber's narrow election as governor in 2010.
In addition, Peralta said the candidates have agreed to participate in a Nov. 27 debate. Details of that event are still pending.
