OR-5: Salem City Club: ‘We’ll leave a seat for Erickson in case he shows up’

An organizer of the Salem City Club debate for 5th Congressional District candidates said Monday the group had still not gotten confirmation from Mike Erickson (R-Lake Oswego), but remained optimistic that he would show up.

“We’ll leave a seat for him in case he shows up,” said Rosa Leonardi, one of the governors of the club.

Leonardi said that Democratic candidate Kurt Schrader (D-Canby) has already confirmed that he would be there, as had Steven Milligan of the Libertarian Party, Doug Patterson of the Constitution Party and Sean Bates of the Independent Party.

On Monday Schrader’s campaign manager, Paul Gage, said Schrader’s attendance would not hinge on Erickson’s appearance. The state senator will still attend regardless of whether Erickson decides to come or not.

Leonardi said the event would not be cancelled if the Republican candidate does not attend. She said the event will still take place Friday at noon.