Judy Stiegler

A spokesman for the Oregon House Republicans said that several bitter State House campaigns would make it difficult to work together in a non-partisan fashion when the legislature reconvenes in 2009.

“It’s going to be very difficult to have a bipartisan atmosphere next session,” House Republican spokesman Nick Smith said. “It’s going to be very difficult because of the way FuturePAC ran their campaigns.”

With the exception of the U.S Senate race, the talk in Oregon this election cycle has centered on just how big the Democrats will win.

The story is the same on the State House level. The Dem’s currently have a 31-29 advantage in the House, but on Tuesday they are hoping to pick up five seats, and the much coveted State House “super-majority” status.

House Minority leader Bruce Hanna sent a letter to the Elections Division of the secretary of state’s office Friday with a complaint that state House candidate Judy Stiegler (D-Bend) was late in reporting campaign finance activity.

In the race for control of the Oregon House of Representatives, Democrats have a strategy of keeping targeted incumbent Republicans busy (who will likely win their respective re-election campaigns) so they can move in on the toss up races to stiffen their majority by possibly two to five seats.  Majority Leader Dave Hunt has recruited strong candidates and raised enough money to keep GOP Reps. Chuck Burley and Linda Flores on their toes this election season.