Breaking

Secretary of State Bill BradburyThe Oregon Independent Party and Secretary of State Bill Bradbury are headed to court to resolve their differences on how many parties can be listed next to a candidate’s name on the ballot, according to Oregon Independent Party Secretary Sal Peralta.

"We had hoped that the Secretary of State's Elections Division would recognize their mistake, correct it, and allow us to move on," Peralta said Tuesday.  "The opinion of our legal advisors is that the state's actions are inconsistent with Oregon law, and we need the court to step in and make a determination."

State Sen. Jason Atkinson (R-Central Point) is in serious condition at Providence Medford Medical Center after accidentally being shot in the knee Tuesday night, the Medford Mail Tribune is reporting.

U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton) will give the money donated to his campaign by U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to charity, according to Smith campaign spokeswoman Lindsay Gilbride. Gilbride did not elaborate as to which charity the money would go to.

Senator Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton) will probably opt out of the Republican National Convention, according to campaign spokeswoman Lindsay Gilbride.

It's official. Congresswoman Darlene Hooley is not running for re-election. Due to health issues Hooley decided not to have another go this election cycle. She was forced to make the announcement now because her secret was leaked excessively by her COS Joan Mooney Evans and her husband Paul Evans. Evans is now expected to announce his campaign for the seat. Another possible candidate that might enter the race is House Majority Leader Dave Hunt.

The Democratic U.S. Senate debates have been confirmed. A source confirms the following dates, locations, and sponsors:

January 22, Pendleton, East Oregonian

March 7, Eugene, Eugene City Club

April 5, Newport, League of Women Voters and AP

April 15, Portland, KGW/Oregonian

The U.S. Senate campaign for Democrat Steve Novick tells PolitickerOR.com Tuesday that it raised about $210,000 in the fourth quarter, bringing the campaign’s total raised to date to over $500,000.

State Sen. Rick Metsger announced this morning that he will seek the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State.  He becomes the fourth State Senator to seek the post, joining Kate Brown, Brad Avakian and Vicki Walker in the race to succeed Bill Bradbury.

The Oregonian is reporting that State Sen. Rick Metsger plans to announce his plan to seek statewide office next year, but has not said which race he will enter.  Insiders say he will seek the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State.