The Oregonian, September 30, 2010
In District 52, which takes in Hood River County and stretches around Mount Hood to Sandy, Rep. Suzanne VanOrman, a one-term Democrat, is challenged by Mark Johnson, a building contractor and former chairman of the Hood River County School Board.
VanOrman, 71, was a longtime director of the Mid Columbia Children's Council and member of the Oregon City Council. She is a strong advocate for schools and services to children and a reliable Democratic vote on budget issues. But Johnson, 53, a Republican, is an exceptional challenger able to navigate complicated processes. He is widely respected for his school board tenure, his deep roots in the community and business experience. He would be a strong addition to the House.
Rep. Tina Kotek of North Portland's District 44 cites the interrelatedness of Oregon's challenges: in business climate, quality of life, education and healthcare delivery. Fixing one must not hurt the other. Kotek, a Democrat, faces a thoughtful newcomer, Republican Kitty Harmon, engineering program counselor at the University of Portland. Harmon says Oregon has a spending problem, not a revenue one, and proposes that every state agency be examined to justify its programs.
Harmon offers rich life experience. But Kotek, despite having championed the damaging Measure 66/67, is an accomplished young leader whom voters should re-elect.
It's a wide-open race in District 37, where Republican Scott Bruun leaves to run for Congress. To replace him, Republicans first settled on martial arts fighter Chael Sonnen, but he dropped out. Julie Parrish, 36, emerged to take his place. She is an appealing person with a passion for sensible reform of education and human services spending.
However, voters should elect Will Rasmussen, a lawyer at the firm Miller Nash. He is a first-time candidate with credible ideas about how the state can promote credit and encourage businesses to hire. A former regent of the University of Washington, where he got his law degree, he also has insight into higher education. He's one of six Democrats endorsed by the Oregon Business Association.
Another is Chris Garrett, 36, completing his first term in District 38, which covers most of Lake Oswego. Garrett, an associate with the law firm Perkins Coie, is challenged by Republican Rob Gardier, 58, a business consultant and former CEO.
Gardier brings considerable business experience and considerable dismay about Oregon's direction. His "Promise to Oregon" lays out ways that Salem should fully embrace such private-sector practices as fiscal discipline and transparency. Both men offer strengths, but the edge goes to Garrett, who has won praise in the House for his studious, even-keeled handling of difficult issues. His low-key, matter-of-fact style -- much like that of Greg Macpherson, whom he succeeded -- suits Salem, where an often-fractious chamber must grapple with almost-unprecedented fiscal challenges.
In District 46, which covers east Portland, incumbent Ben Cannon, 34, a Democrat, is challenged by Republican newcomer Russell Turner, 27. Turner says he is "not a typical Republican," a must in his heavily Democratic district. But his bigger challenge is to overcome one of the brightest young talents in Salem. In two terms, Cannon, a school teacher, has won praise for his grasp of issues and ability to work well with others. Now more than ever, such skills are in demand. Turner makes an appealing pitch, but Cannon deserves to return.
Lew Frederick, a Democrat, was appointed last year to fill out Chip Shields' term in District 43 and now runs unopposed. The former TV journalist and member of the Oregon Board of Education remains passionate about public education, the use of force by police and social justice. He deserves wide support Nov. 2.
