Alley lands Statesman Journal and Bulletin endorsements

State treasurer candidate Allen Alley (R-Lake Oswego) racked up two more editorial board endorsements from the Statesman Journal in Salem and The Bulletin in Bend on Saturday.

The Statesman Journal touted Alley’s business experience, saying his leadership in the financial world was experience the state’s next financial steward would need as Oregon heads toward a more uncertain economic future.

“He comes from a business background, not a political one. In some eras, that could be a liability. In the turbulent economic and political conditions of the 21st century, that's an asset,” the Statesman Journal editorial board wrote.

The Bulletin in Bend agreed that Alley had the superior business experience. It also went the extra step to warn voters that Alley’s campaign rival, Ben Westlund (D-Tumalo) did not have the financial experience necessary, and hinted that they felt Westlund was in the hunt for higher political office.

“Who would you rather place in the treasurer's seat: a business and financial expert like Alley or a political fixture like Westlund, whose career has zigzagged though both houses of the state Legislature, both major parties and an abortive gubernatorial run as an independent?” the editorial board wrote. “These times call for an expert, not a professional office-chaser.”