New Dem leader, ORP knocks Rep. Conrad, Crowded primaries

By Oregon Campaign Watch,

Three items of note in the news, rumor mill:

– New House Majority Leader elected: Ben Bowman – Oregon State Representative Ben Bowman, D-Tigard, was elected as the new House Majority Leader (Democrat Caucus leader).  The freshmen lawmaker was able to win out challengers of Representative Andrea Valderrama, D-Portland, and Representative Jason Kropf, D-Bend.

– The Republican Primary has a crowded field for their Senate Races.

* Senator David Brock Smith has three Primary challengers
* Exiting State Senator Dennis Linthicum has two running for his seat, his wife and a County Commissioner. (Senator Dennis Linthicum is running for Secretary of State)
* Exiting State Senator Art Robinson has two candidates running for his open seat. This includes his son Noah Robinson and a State Representative (Christine Goodwin)
* Exiting State Senator Bill Hansell has four candidates running for his open seat.
* Exiting State Senator Lynn Findley has three candidates running for his open seat.

– ORP votes resolution against Republican State Representative Charlie Conrad:  In a rare and unusual vote, the Oregon Republican Party recently voted on a resolution blocking any State Party resources or financial support for Oregon Republican State Representative Charlie Conrad.  It also request that Conrad be censored by Party House leadership.   The issue, as mentioned in the resolution stems from State Representative Charlie Conrad’s support for late term abortion.   Here is a copy of the Representative Charlie Conrad resolution:

Whereas, Representative Charlie Conrad voted yes on HB2002b which allows for any type of abortion in secret and without parental knowledge for children of any age, and the Oregon Republican Party was the third largest contributor to his campaign and the ORP standing rules state no financial support shall be given to any candidate that votes in favor of any late-term abortion laws;

Whereas, The Oregon Republican Party spends hundreds of volunteer hours, and money to support its candidates;

Resolved, That the Oregon Republican Party censure Representative Conrad immediately; including revoking member privileges in the ORP, and that no financial support will be allowed for Representative Conrad ever again;

Resolved, That the Oregon Republican Party request the Republican House Caucus censure Representative Conrad immediately; including revoking member privileges of the Caucus, and that no financial support will be allowed for Representative Conrad ever again.

— Follow this website for more information on candidates and officials such as Oregon State Representative Ben Bowman, D-Tigard, Representative Andrea Valderrama, Representative Jason Kropf, D-Bend, Senator David Brock Smith, State Senator Dennis Linthicum, State Senator Art Robinson, Noah Robinson, State Representative Christine Goodwin, State Senator Bill Hansell, State Senator Lynn Findley, and Oregon Republican State Representative Charlie Conrad.