Saxton Gets 4 Major Weekend Endorsements

Saxton took three major newspaper endorsements this weekend from The Oregonian, Bend Bulletin and Medford Mail Tribune and a major rare endorsement from the influential National Rifle Association. The NRA endorsement is very important because second amendment rights are held dearly by both Democrats and Republicans who often make this their leading issue. The newspapers now add to the other growing list of endorsements which include: the Grants Pass Daily Courier, McMinnville News-Register, and Brainstorm Magazine. For Kulongoski, my count is that he received an endorsement form the Statesman Journal and the Eugene Register Guard. (follow links to editorial).

Saxton’s campaign is breaking tradition in many ways: Below is the highlights of the endorsements.

The Oregonian:
“But Oregon needs new energy, new blood, new ideas and a determination to get them done. And only Saxton, the most capable Republican candidate for Oregon governor in the 24 years that Democrats have held the job, promises to bring that passion for change to the executive office”¦.[Kulongoski] hasn’t worked effectively with the Legislature. Major areas of state government, notably the $9 billion Department of Human Services, have seen a parade of directors and years of poor fiscal management”¦..Is there anyone, for example, who believes most lawmakers, or voters, would support Kulongoski’s proposed tax on auto insurance to fund the state police patrol? That leads us to worry that two years into another Kulongoski term, the state police would be no better off than they are today.”

Medford Mail Tribune:
“It’s clear to anyone paying attention that Oregon state government needs to make systemic changes or face an endless string of funding crises. It’s not clear that Gov. Ted Kulongoski is ready to do that.”

Bend Bulletin:
The Bulletin’s editorial board has interviewed hundreds of candidates”¦but very few have impressed us the way Ron Saxton has.