Oregon Republican Party

The Oregon Democratic Party and the Republican Party of Oregon had different reactions to Saturday’s announcement that U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) will be Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) running mate.

First Congressional District candidate Joel Haugen (R-Scappoose), who is battling Republican officials in that district, called support from Oregon Republican Party officials a farce after they refused to rectify a situation where local county officials would not support his candidacy.

Looks like the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association is holding off on that victory lap after learning two ballot initiatives targeting their entire industry failed to make the November ballot.

The Oregon Republican Party held their biennial state convention this weekend, but the nine committees made only minor changes to the state party’s platform.

In an interview with PolitickerOR.com, ORP spokesperson Brianne Hyder said there were “no major changes to the Oregon Republican Party’s platform,” though there were “a few words here and there.” Hyder noted that more information regarding the changes would be released within the next few days.

The Oregon Republican Party today acknowledged that the IRS placed a lien on it last spring, after the party failed to pay approximately two year’s worth of payroll taxes for its employees.

Brianne Hyder, party spokeswoman, told the Oregonian that the problem originated with an employee—since fired—who wrote checks to the IRS but never sent them.  read more »