Short time frame shaped CD5

Two months and change is not a lot of time to campaign for Congress, especially if you have less money and a lower name recognition than your opponent.

But Steve Marks, who lost the Democratic nomination in the 5th Congressional District to state Sen. Kurt Schrdaer, has no regrets.

"The clock just ran out," he said.

"We didn't go through the phase where people could see the difference," Marks, former Governor John Kitzhaber's Chief of Staff said.

Marks only raised about half the money Schrader did, and whereas Schrader was able to self-fund due to a large family trust, Marks had no such luxury. Furthermore, Schrader has been a state legislator for over twenty years, and his wife Martha, is a Clackamas County Commissioner.

The race got a bit ugly at times (although nothing compared to their Republican counterparts); a candidate discussion on OPB was especially virulent, but Marks has no ill-will.

"We got kind of left behind; the volunteers and contributions were all committed to other races," Marks said.

Schrader's campaign apparently did not feel the same time crunch; James Atkin, Schrader's political director, noted "I'm not sure the short time-frame changed how our campaign operated. Kurt traveled up and down the district talking to voters about his experience, his background, and his plans for Oregon."

Although Schrader did travel extensively and attend numerous candidate forums, he declined the series of debates proposed by Marks. While Marks wishes the two could have gone one-on-one, he still thinks the challenge of his candidacy made Schrader a stronger campaigner, and plans to support him in November.

Schrader will now face off against Mike Erickson, the rumor ridden Republican nominee. Erickson, who has his own personal fortune to pour into the race, jumped into the field even before Rep. Darlene Hooley announced her retirement in February.

His campaign was hit with an eleventh-hour bomb by opponent Kevin Mannix, which shook faith in his pro-life credentials. With six month left to the general, what happens with the accusation remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the Oregon Republican Party will stand behind their man.

"Mike Erickson has shown us he is a tough campaigner and he is ready to take on his Democratic opponent in the general election," said Chairman of the Oregon Republican Party Vance Day.

"In today's economy, Mike Erickson's proven success as a business owner and long time community leader is exactly the type of leadership Oregonians need in Congress. Mike Erickson will truly be the new voice for Oregon," Day continued.