Merkley targets payday loans
In the tight race for the Democratic nomination, Jeff Merkley and Steve Novick are, quite expectedly, approaching policy issues—including the mortgage crisis—from different angles.

While Novick yesterday tied an increasing oversight of Wall Street as a means to prevent mortgage foreclosures, Merkley sent out his own statement today which focused on clamping down on payday loans. (Lauren Lafaro, PolitickerOR.com)

Marks brings in the big guns
In the short time since he’s announced his candidacy, Steve Marks has been assembling an impressive campaign team to take on Sen. Kurt Schrader for the Democratic nomination in the 5th Congressional District.

Long time Democratic consultant Joe Trippi, of Howard Dean fame, signed on as a consultant. Trippi is no stranger to Oregon politics, having worked with both John Kitzhaber and in 1996, for Darlene Hooley.

Peter Clerkin, a veteran of New Jersey politics, has just signed on as campaign manager, and will be arriving tomorrow in Salem, where Marks is setting up shop. (Lafaro, PolitickerOR.com)

Kroger grabs another union
John Kroger was able to score another union endorsement today, when he announced the support of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 48 (IBEW). (Lafaro, PolitickerOR.com)

Farmers back Macpherson
Attorney General candidate Rep. Greg Macpherson today announced the endorsement of the Oregon Farm Bureau PAC and Oregon Farm Bureau Federation.

Macpherson spent his childhood on a dairy farm, an experience which, according to Barry Bushue, Vice President of American Farm Bureau Federation, has endowed the candidate with “a personal connection to Oregon’s agricultural community.” (Lafaro, PolitickerOR.com)

Obama rolling out the canvas
Barack Obama's recently deployed Oregon team is hitting the ground running--or rather canvassing.

In anticipation of the April 29 voter registration deadline, the Obama campaign is launching a statewide registration canvass this Saturday. (Lafaro, PolitickerOR.com)