At the Democratic Party of Oregon Summit earlier this month, our House Majority Leader, Dave Hunt, had a chance to speak to the participants about just how we were able to take back the Oregon House and what it means to our state to put forth and pass a progressive agenda.

He began by doing something very significant—he asked every Democratic candidate who ran for the legislature in 2006 but didn’t win his or her election to stand. And he told the members of the Democratic Party of Oregon that a huge reason we took the majority, and a huge reason that our state is finally investing in education and alternative energy, and leading again on so many issues, could be seen in the people standing up in front of us.

Last election the media covered candidates such as Rob Brading, who forced then-Speaker Karen Minnis into a tremendously competitive race and came close to taking her out. The amount of time, energy and resources Minnis pulled from the GOP side just to keep her own seat was a great asset to our efforts.

But lesser attention has been given to the full roster of Democrats who took on tremendous challenges, putting their Republican opponents on the defensive, drawing attention to the Road Map for Oregon’s Future, making the case against the far right extremist ballot measures that were on the 2006 ballot, and also helping to focus local voters on the Kulongoski/Saxton race as well.

These are candidates such as Jim Calvert in Klamath Falls, Mike Moran in Medford, Howard Owens in Grants Pass and Richard Koopmans in Gold Hill. In the Willamette Valley, we had outstanding Democrats such as Sam Sappington, Brian Grisham, Jim Gilbert and Connie Garcia. Dan Thackaberry made an excellent run in House District 17, as did Jason Brown in HD 23, and Sal Peralta came painfully close to knocking off the incumbent in House District 24.

The story repeated itself throughout the state, with Chuck Lee in Marion and Yamhill counties, Lee Coleman running in one of the Clackamas/Washington districts and Bev Backa running in another. Mike Caudle forced then Majority Leader Wayne Scott to the wall in District 39, Jill Selman-Ringer took on the campaign in District 50, and Ryan Olds ran a spirited campaign against a right wing GOP member in District 51.

Moving north and east, Suzanne VanOrman gathered just under 10,000 votes in the three counties that make up District 52, Bill Smith caused the Republicans significant problems in his Central Oregon District 53, and Phil Philiben, despite being significantly outspent by the GOP incumbent, pulled in close to 12,000 votes, losing by only a few percentage points.

In three of our most rural districts, Tonia St. Germain, a faculty member at Eastern Oregon University, spoke out strongly in her campaign for District 57, as did Ben Talley in the Umatilla/Union county District 58 and Peter Hall in the far eastern District 60.

In District 59, encompassing nine counties, Jim Gilbertson, a local farmer making his second run at the legislature, came within 300 votes of becoming the 32nd Democratic member of the House.

These efforts, in districts with close registration numbers and in districts where we face a long time GOP advantage, are all crucial. Running for office is not only the best possible vehicle to getting out the Democratic message statewide, but is also the key to keeping and expanding our majority. The only reason we now control the House is that we have been willing to build relentlessly. Districts that have been in GOP hands for years now have Democratic representatives. Several of theses members set out against all odds and worked for over two campaign cycles to finally win election. Several of our great candidates from 2006, including Jason Brown and Suzanne VanOrman, are seeking to accomplish this task in 2008.

The point is this—just as Howard Dean’s 50 state strategy is helping to build a long term Democratic majority nationwide, the Oregon Democratic Party must have a 36 county strategy to build a long-term majority here at home. Everything we value—from education to health care to economic development to the environment to social justice—depends on each one of us doing everything we can do, starting right where we live.

We’re currently recruiting candidates in 29 districts statewide. We have some remarkable Oregonians already willing to step forward in many districts. But we need more, particularly in districts that have been held by the GOP for an extended period of time.

We can help realistically analyze the dynamics of your district and help organize a campaign that is practical and will have the greatest impact possible. Are you willing, or do you know someone who cares enough about the future of our state to be willing to step up in 2008, to stand out, speak out, and help us move a progressive agenda for Oregon for years to come? The stakes are huge. The GOP is poised to pour millions of dollars into their effort to retake the House. If we lose even one seat, Oregon falls back.

When we win, we accomplish great things. When we lose, Oregon and all of our communities suffer. We need your help. Work with us so we can compete in all 60 districts, in every part of our state.

Thanks & Onward-

Peter Buckley
Majority Whip
House Democratic Leadership

Contact Michele Rossolo at michele@futurepac.org for information on running for the Oregon Legislature.

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