Greg Macpherson

The Rasmussen poll released yesterday showing House Speaker Jeff Merkley ahead of incumbent Senator Gordon Smith has certainly shaken up what was feeling like a lull in the campaign season.

more >

"Our people came together and took out the man who stole all of our pensions, and your pensions too!" she said referring to Democratic state Rep. Greg Macpherson who overhauled the state's PERS system in 2003.

more >

Despite some highly contentious Oregon races in the 2008 election, speculation on who will run for Governor in 2010 is mounting regularly.

more >

For those of you who were concerned State Rep. Greg Macpherson was withering away into the world of Oregon political has-beens after a devastating loss to law professor John Kroger in the Oregon Democratic primary last May, have no fear.

more >

Jeff Merkley and Steve Novick reunited today Portland, portraying a united front for the Democratic effort to unseat U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton).

“The choice in this Senate election is crystal clear,” Merkley said. “If you want more of the same -- an agenda scripted by the most powerful special interests -- then Gordon Smith is your man. If you want to change Washington D.C. and set a new direction for America, then join our fight to deliver hope and opportunity to every single American.”

more >

There was no bigger winner in Tuesday’s primary election that the SEIU, which spent over $300,000 to help John Kroger defeat Greg Macpherson for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General.  That was one heck of a payback to Macpherson, who angered the powerful union when he led the effort to reform PERS.  Not only does SEIU get the trophy – and the eternal debt of the new A.G. – but they’ve now set the standard for the way labor unions can affect statewide elections in Oregon.  You can be sure that all the potential ’10 gubernatorial candidates have noticed.

more >

Partisan voters spoke definitively last night on the issue of negative campaigning: don't beat up on your own.

more >

Jeff Merkley’s 45%-41% win over Steve Novick in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary raises two questions: can Merkley beat incumbent Gordon Smith, and what does the future have in store for Novick? With no general election opponent, does John Kroger’s victory in the race for Attorney General (56%-44% over the favorite, Greg Macpherson) put him into the race for Governor in 2010?

more >

Ultimately, state Representative Greg Macpherson’s legislative experience and ties to Oregon could not overcome John Kroger’s massive grassroots effort in the contest for Attorney General.

Kroger, who took 55 percent of the vote to Macpherson’s 44 percent in the Democratic primary, was swamped by supporters at the Benson Hotel.

He called Macpherson a “formidable” opponent, but ultimately attributed his win to their field effort.

“I think this shows that grassroots politics is real and that people respond to real ideas and a passion to tackle the challenges that face Oregon.”

more >

For those of you who have procrastinated for three weeks and still have not picked a pony in certain races, you can likely find a candidate on your local street corner. more >