Kate Brown picks up Independent Party endorsement

by Janie Har
October 07, 2008

The Independent Party has endorsed Democratic Sen. Kate Brown for secretary of state.

The party, Oregon's third largest with 33,000 registered voters, applauded her willingness to put a referral on the ballot asking voters to limit campaign contributions. Such a change would have to be in the state Constitution, and Brown, a former Senate majority leader, has never voiced such clear support for limits.

In her response to the Independent Party's questionnaire, Brown wrote: "I generally have reservations about making changes to the constitution, but in this case I see no other options."

The Republican in the race, former television news anchorman Rick Dancer, wrote: "If Oregonians want campaign limits they have the ability to place them on the ballot through the initiative process. Any limits in the future need to apply to both individuals and groups."

The Pacific Green Party candidate, Seth Woolley, also supports a limit on contributions.

Today the Oregonian newspaper editoriallly endorsed David Wu (D) in Oregon's 1st Congressional District. His major opponent on the ballot is Joel Haugen (I), but the Oregonian never even mentioned Haugen. Here is what the Oregonian printed:

Wu will never be the best known or most influential member of Oregon's congressional district. But he has carved a significant niche for himself in the state's delegation, and he did rise to the challenge of last week's historic vote. For the first time, it's possible to endorse David Wu's re-election to Congress with some enthusiasm.

Joel Haugen, on the other hand, opposed the trillion dollar bailout of Wall Street fat cats. See Joel Haugen for Congress

A windmill worth tilting at

Independent candidate John Frohnmayer joins the race for the
U.S. Senate from Oregon
Friday, September 14, 2007

John Frohnmayer, former Republican and former Democrat, said this week that he wants to be U.S. senator from Oregon as an independent because partisanship has driven moderation and compromise from modern politics.