Former Brown aide weighs in on Sec. of State race

DENVER--Secretary of State candidate Kate Brown’s (D-Portland) former communications director Mark Oleske weighed in on the Secretary of State’ race Tuesday, which had been a lackluster race in recent months.

“I wondered if the Republicans would pick one statewide race and put some effort into it,” Oleske said as he was distributing advance copies of his book Yeah, Right: “The Economy is Strong to Oregon delegates. “I thought it would be hers, but maybe not.”

The race for Secretary of State has been quiet ever since Brown emerged victorious from a four-person primary Democratic race in May. She faces Republican Rick Dancer in the general election in the fall.

Oleske also said that despite the significant under voting that Democrats had to deal with during the primary, he was pretty confident that come November voters would be more apt to vote all the way down the ticket. Because of that, and in spite the quiet summer, Oleske said that Brown was still out working hard and gathering voter support for the fall.

“One thing we learned in 2004 is that we can’t be complacent about these statewide races,” Oleske said. “The general election is for people who are voting Democratic or Republican. And this year, people are going to choose Democratic.”