Dr. John Returns to Politics
September 03, 2009
Author: CFM Staff
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John Kitzhaber, emergency room physician, former governor and health care reformer, filed papers this week to run for the job he left after two terms in 2003.
His entrance into the 2010 Oregon gubernatorial race probably will suck the wind out of almost all other Democratic candidates, though his friend and former Secretary of State Bill Bradbury said he is staying in the race, at least for now.
Two-term Rep. Brian Clem of Salem, who has been touring the state, has indicated he would step aside if Kitzhaber entered the race. He did just that at a press briefing Thursday morning, publishing a picture of Kitzhaber on his gubernatorial campaign Web site.
Republican Allen Alley is already running, so far without any other GOP competition.
In his comments after filing candidacy papers, Kitzhaber referred to the prospect of post-partisan politics if he wins the governorship next. He said Oregonians are ready to "embrace a different kind of politics" that shuns partisanship and special interest pandering.
For Kitzhaber, it would be a different experience to serve with a Democratically controlled legislature.
Unlike other candidates who scrape for media coverage, Kitzhaber already has nailed down high-profile speaking engagements to help launch his candidacy, including a speech before a Portland Business Alliance forum this month.
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