Jim Torrey, former 2-term Mayor of Eugene, has filed to run again for that office in the upcoming non-partisan May Primary against incumbent Mayor, Kitty Piercy.

Torrey is the first member of the Independent Party of Oregon to run for local office. The office of Mayor is nonpartisan, so none of the candidates run as representatives of their political parties. Mr. Torrey has not sought the endorsement of the Independent Party for any office.

From the Register Guard:

Torrey said he wants to become mayor because the city must do more to fight crime, create jobs, fix streets and improve transportation. He faulted Piercy, who is seeking re-election for a second term, for not providing leadership in those areas.

Eugene is Oregon's second-largest city.

According to the Portland Tribune, former chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, John Frohnmayer is considering a bid for the U.S. Senate.

From the Trib...

Of late, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has been casting about desperately for a candidate to challenge Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith, causing speculation to arise even about nonpoliticians like John Russell.

In comparison to such speculation, however, one name sounds like a sure thing – John Frohnmayer. The only catch? He’s not a Democrat.

Frohnmayer, brother of former Oregon Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer and an art historian at Oregon State University, is a former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts under George H.W. Bush.