Banking on themselves
Congressional candidate Mike Erickson has poured $565,000 into his campaign the past 10 days, leading a wave of U.S. Senate and House candidates in Oregon turning to their own wallets nearing the May 20 election.

Together, those candidates injected nearly $1 million into their campaigns in the past month, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

The bulk of that money came from Erickson, a Lake Oswego businessman who has lent $905,000 to his campaign this year, allowing him to outspend Salem attorney Kevin Mannix in their run for the Republican nomination for the 5th Congressional District. (Dave Hogan, The Oregonian)

You mean there are other races?
It’s finally starting to look like an election is around the corner in Oregon. Television airwaves are filling up with political ads as the May 20 deadline to vote approaches. And it’s not just Presidential candidates buying time. (Chris Lehman, Oregon Public Broadcasting)

Clinton goes for a walk in the woods
Gov. Ted Kulongoski nearly went hoarse Thursday night cheering on Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton at the Jackson County Exposition Park in Central Point.

"She will never quit," he told supporters who nearly filled the 1,200-seat Olsrud Arena.

His sentiments were echoed by Southern Oregon residents who want the New York senator to keep fighting as she continues her campaign against rival Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

"She should stick it out as long as she can," said Eileen Renno, 54, of Cave Junction. "I want to support her all the way to the White House."

Renno said Clinton should continue the fight to the Democratic National Convention in August and would be disappointed if she bowed out early.

Clinton was greeted by a deafening roar of supporters crying, "Hillary, Hillary, Hillary!" (Damian Mann, The Mail-Tribune)

Three for Obama
On Thursday night, Rep. Peter DeFazio became Oregon's third Democratic congressman to endorse Sen. Barack Obama, putting the Illinois politician one delegate closer to the presidential nomination.

DeFazio said that Obama, who will begin a two-day campaign trip to the state this morning, "represents our best chance of winning in November."

"We must not allow Senator McCain to continue the failures of the Bush foreign policy, war in Iraq and disastrous economic policies," DeFazio added. (Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian)