Steve Novick

DENVER -- Former Democratic Senate candidate Steve Novick, who has been mentioned on Oregon political insiders’ short list as a possible gubernatorial candidate in 2010, did not rule out a run Thursday when he was asked about the possibility.

The first Democrat to throw his hat in the race for Oregon governor in two years is current Secretary of State Bill Bradbury.

Look for “A Beer with Steve Novick,” a television ad that ran during Steve Novick’s campaign for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination earlier this year, to win an award with a national association of political consultants gets together after the election to rate TV and radio ads, and direct mail pieces. One consultant, whose firm handles Republican candidates in a different region of the country, tells PolitickerOR.com that the buzz about the Novick ad remains strong, despite some hefty competition. “I watch the ad on YouTube a few times a week,” the consultant said. “I can’t get enough of it.”

Former U.S. Senate. candidate Steve NovickWASHINGTON – Former U.S. Senate candidate Steve Novick was the recipient of kind words today from an unlikely source: U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Rewind to the Democratic primary when Novick was facing off against state House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D-Portland). The DSCC threw its support behind Merkley, airing a television advertisement in the final days of the campaign that attacked Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton) and defended Merkley. Merkley would go on to narrowly win the hard-fought primary.

“I have to give a lot of credit to Steve Novick, who ran very strong, stronger than we thought. And to Novick’s credit, the day after the primary he went out there complimenting Merkley and has been helping Merkley ever since, which I just wanted to thank him for that,” Schumer said at a press conference at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee this afternoon.

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.

The Oregon GOP Friday spotlighted out-of-state contributions to Oregon House Speaker and U.S Senate candidate Jeff Merkley (D-Portland), while in-state more Democrats rallied behind Merkley as his campaign against incumbent Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton) heats up.

According to Federal Elections Commission data provided by Republicans, Merkley has received a total of $1,067,556 in non-Oregon contributions, including $832,551 from the Democratic Senatorial Congressional Committee and $235,005 from the Majority Action Fund.

"Out-of-state special interest groups are holding the puppet strings to Jeff Merkley's campaign," said Brianne Hyder, spokesperson for the Oregon Republican Party.

Looks like the Dem primary for governor in 2010 could be more crowded than we expected.  Based on email responses from some very vocal Democrats and on our blog, here are some additional governor wannabes that are being thrown around.

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

The direction of Oregon's US Senate campaign just took a 180.  The AP reports John Frohnmayer, independent candidate for US Senate, is leaving the race due to his inability to raise money and his lack of grassroots support.

The New York Times asks: was Steve Novick the first major YouTube political candidate?  “YouTube had the crucial multiplier effect, turning an under-financed campaign into a serious contender. His ads received far more attention on the Internet than through his few television spots, offering a new template for insurgent candidates,” writes reporter Richard Perez-Pena.  The story is a must read for Oregonians.