Hardy Myers

While John Kroger scored an important endorsement from the SEIU yesterday, Greg Macpherson was able to counter today with his own from current Attorney General Hardy Myers.

"He's the only candidate who has the innovation, experience, knowledge, and passion to do the job," said Myers.  read more »

Lewis & Clark law professor John Kroger announced yesterday he won the purple nod from the public employee union SEIU. Although, as the Willamette Week points out, this comes as no surprise to those familiar with opponent State Rep. Greg Macpherson's work reforming public employee pensions back in 2003 when they were crippling Oregon's already ailing economy.

Certain law firms in Oregon are notorious hot beds of political activity. Stoel Rives produced retiring Attorney General Hardy Myers and the man who wants to succeed him, State Rep. Greg Macpherson. Former State Rep. Max Williams worked for Miller Nash during his days in the legislature. Tonkon Torp has lobbyist Jack Isselmann working the halls of the capital and Davis Wright Tremaine has lobbyist John DiLorenzo.

John Kroger, who’s running for the Democratic nomination for Hardy Myers' retirement after three terms as Attorney General has sparked a spirited Democratic primaryState Attorney General, addressed an intimate group of about fifty Thursday night and engaged in a brief Q&A session.

Kroger, a professor at Lewis and Clark Law School and a former federal prosecutor, praised current Attorney General Hardy Myers, who announced this summer he would not be seeking reelection after almost twelve years as Oregon’s top law enforcement official. In announcing his decision, Myers, now 68, cited his age and a belief that the Justice Department can benefit from fresh leadership.

Kroger did however, highlight some key philosophical distinctions between himself and Myers, and suggested he would pursue a broader approach to the position.