Chris Van Hollen

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman Chris Van HollenState Sen. Kurt Schrader, a Democratic hopeful in the 5th Congressional District, got a little help from a friend when U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, came to town to spread the word that the 5th will stay Dem-territory.

Schrader-who has a bit of personal wealth of his own in the form of a family trust-is running against businessman Mike Erickson, who spent over a million dollars of his own money in the Republican primary.

"Sometimes you have self-funded millionaires on the other side and we just want to send a clear message that this is a priority for us. This is for keeps," Van Hollen said, managing a jibe at Erickson and an expression of the national importance of the district at the same time.

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Yesterday PolitickerOR reported on the confidence of the DCCC in holding onto Oregon's 5th congressional district being vacated by Darlene Hooley. Two serious contenders, State Sen. Kurt Schrader and activist Steve Marks, are both vying for the Democratic nod.  read more »

WASHINGTON – Democratic leaders today said they were optimistic about their prospects for holding the U.S. House seat of retiring Congresswoman Darlene Hooley and of winning Republican Gordon Smith’s U.S. Senate seat.

Chuck Schumer, the chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, suggested that Smith, who is expected to face off in the November general election against House Speaker Jeff Merkley or activist Steve Novick, was failing to distance himself from President Bush.

“Republicans who have changed their tune ... think they are getting stronger, but they are getting sicker,” said Schumer.

DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen released the following statement on Darlene Hooley:

"For more than a decade, Congresswoman Darlene Hooley has been a powerful voice for Oregon’s families, our troops, and our veterans. Her work to protect identity theft victims, curb the problem with methamphetamines, and to ensure our troops and veterans receive benefits that are worthy of their sacrifice is a proud legacy. We will miss her dedication, friendship, and most of all her leadership in Congress. We are confident that a Democrat will win this seat and continue to work to change the direction of the country.

The DCCC is considering two candidates to fill Hooley’s sport on the ballot: Paul Evans, the former mayor of Monmouth and an Iraq War veteran, and Martha Schrader, a County Commissioner in Clackamas County.

"We are confident that a Democrat will win this seat and continue to work to change the direction of the country," said DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen.