Oregonian endorses Riley, Edwards, and Harker for State House

The Oregonian endorsed three more incumbents and three more Democrats in Oregon State House races Friday.

The paper urged voters to re-elect state House Reps. Chuck Riley (D-Hillsboro), David Edwards (D-Hillsboro), and Chris Harker (D-Washington County).

Edwards represents HD-30, a seat that has been targeted by Oregon House Republicans as a potential takeover seat. His campaign rival, Washington County commissioner Andy Duyck, is currently listed as the “Featured Candidate” on the Promote Oregon Leadership PAC website. The Oregonian praised Duyck’s work at the county level, but said that Edwards, who is running for his second term, offered no reason for voters to send him packing.

“Edwards did a lot of heavy lifting on budget matters, including the rainy-day fund, in his first term and is one of the more effective rookies to arrive in Salem in some time,” the editorial board wrote. “District 30 voters would be best served by sending him back to continue his work.”

Riley represents HD-29, and is running without a Republican opponent after Secretary of State Bill Bradbury controversially ruled earlier in the summer that his campaign rival, Jeff Duyck, did not actually live in the district.

Harker has only served in the State House since June, when he was appointed to fill the HD-34 seat that Suzanne Bonamici vacated to take over Brad Avakian’s SD-17 seat when he was appointed Labor Commissioner.

“Harker is barely being opposed by physician Piotr Kuklinski, a Republican who skipped a scheduled appearance before the Washington County Public Affairs Forum, didn't enter a statement in the Voters' Pamphlet and ignored requests for an interview,” the editorial board wrote. “As he doesn't seem to be campaigning for the seat, voters would be best served by sending the candidate  –  Harker  – who wants the job to Salem.”

Read the whole endorsement here.