News Review Endorses Kitzhaber
The May primary election offers three choices for Democrats for the office of governor while nine Republicans are seeking the state's top elected post.
Voters have until May 18 to make up their minds as to who will best represent each party in the November general election.
The most visible and active candidates in the Republican race are Allen Alley and Chris Dudley. Both have appeared at events in Douglas County and both made time to speak with The News-Review's Editorial Board, which we appreciate.
The candidates have many similarities. Both believe the state budget has grown far too rapidly in proportion to its population and that the state desperately needs some reserve funds for tough economic times. Both also recognize the great need for creating jobs in the private sector.
Alley is a feisty candidate who's done an excellent job of marketing himself. His name recognition is high because he ran for state treasurer two years ago. Though he lost, he seemed to immediately move into the bid for governor.
He wants to be CEO of the state and that's a position he would be comfortable in after the success he's had as an entrepreneur. We believe the state could benefit from the business applications Alley would bring to the job.
Dudley's candidacy is just as strong, however. The former Portland Trail Blazer points to his 16 years of experience in the NBA as proof that he can work with people with diverse interests to reach a common goal.
He sees an advantage to being a political outsider and says he will appoint the best and brightest to positions within government and on boards to help him carry out his goals.
Specifically, he thinks the state should set aside 3 percent of revenues in a reserve fund, privatize the Oregon Liquor Control Commission and give greater financial support to Oregon's higher education system.
But most importantly, he says Oregon has to create an environment where businesses want to locate and expand.
His grasp of the issues facing Oregon and his desire to listen to and unite residents earns him our endorsement.
On the Democratic ticket, former two-term Gov. John Kitzhaber and former Secretary of State Bill Bradbury are the front-runners.
Bradbury is pushing for a state bank to lend funds to businesses within the state and boost the economy. That sounds like another way to grow government and put it in competition with the private sector, which concerns us.
Kitzhaber says he's learned a lot about building consensus during his campaign and it's cost him the endorsement of some unions that supported him in the past. Still, he's insistent that Oregon has to find a political center.
Kitzhaber says Oregon's tax system must be stabilized and reserve funds established. He emphasizes the need for job creation in the private sector, including large-scale energy-efficiency programs; restructuring public services; and considering performance rather than enrollment for education funding.
He also believes there's an emerging consensus among environmentalists and the timber industry for active forest management. That could create jobs and reduce wildfire threat.
We never expected Kitzhaber, a former emergency room physician in Roseburg, to be in the race again, but his background, knowledge and outlook make him the best choice among the Democrats.
