Willamette Valley folks gear up for a heat waveTemperatures are supposed to hit the mid-90s this weekend
Idoltude: David Cook versus David Archuleta in American Idol finale Tonight we bid a fond farewell to Syesha Mercado
Opinion: Hillary Clinton wins in West Virginia, but what's the prize?Is nine delegates enough to keep her campaign afloat?
`The Great Debaters,' `Indiana Jones,' `Mad Money,' and `Untraceable' released on DVDNew DVD releases are ready to take your money
By Anna Braun
from Salem Monthly, Section News
Posted on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 10:28:03 PM PDT
With presidential candidates gracing us with their presence and Oregon's primary right around the corner, now is a good time to catch up with the local republican and democratic parties.Marc Siegel, Communications Director of the Oregon Democratic Party, says it is too early to lay out the strategy for the fall election, but that the Democratic Party of Oregon has a 36-county plan to "get out the vote" and is hoping to turn out democratic voters in record numbers.
Brianne Hyder, Communications Director of the Republican Party of Oregon, said the party plans to provide Republican candidates with a network of support and resources for the November 2008 election, including training for candidates and campaign staff and new-voter registration efforts. Hyder also said that the Party is executing a very aggressive fundraising plan.
The Republican Party has recently received a lot of attention because of a party debt of $297,259.69, according to a February 20 Federal Election Commission Filing, and the $34,151.77 IRS lien levied against it.
Oregon Republican Party Chairman Vance Day has said that the party is suffering from the bad fundraising climate that has afflicted Republicans nationally and that the fundraising will get better as the presidential election heats up.
The Democratic Party, according to Siegel, is doing quite well financially and "couldn't provide a greater contrast" to the Republican Party's financial problems. He points out the irony that the party that preaches fiscal conservatism, the Republican Party, is the one with the financial problems.
Local republicans are less focused on the presidential campaign and are paying more attention to smaller elections throughout the state.
"Oregonians have strong Republican candidates across the board this election cycle," Hyder said.
Both parties are particularly interested in the race for Gordon Smith's seat.
The Democratic Party has made an additional Web site, "StopGordonSmith.com," and plan to focus on Smith's record and what they consider to be his inconsistent statements and positions.
Darlene Hooley's announcement that she will step
down from her congressional seat triggered immediate interest from both parties. Unlike other congressional seats in Oregon, hers is considered a swing district. Hooley has held the position since 1996.
Republicans Mike Erickson and Kevin Mannix will battle it out in the primary for her seat. On the Democratic side, newcomer Steve Marks is running against Senator Kurt Schrader.
The statewide race for Secretary of State, which has traditionally been a spring board for becoming Governor, has been dominated by Senate Democrats, Kate Brown, Vicki Walker and Rick Metsger. Senator Brad Avakian, also a Democrat was in the race but was recently appointed to State Labor Commissioner. Republican Rick Dancer long-time reporter and news anchor for KEZI-TV in Eugene, is the lone Republican in the race.
Post A Comment | What do Oregon Democrats and Republicans have in store this election season? | 0 comments
