More Political Shuffling in the Senate
September 03, 2009
Author: CFM Staff
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Despite outcries, the political shuffling in the Oregon Senate may not be over.
Senator Bill Morrisette, D-Springfield, who has served in the legislature since 1999, may decide not to seek re-election next year. One rumor has former Senator Lee Beyer, who now chairs the Oregon Public Utility Commission, as interested in his old seat.
Beyer, whose wife represents Springfield in the House, has often expressed his continuing interest in legislating issues and may find this an opportune moment to step back into the legislative fray on topics such as energy, climate change and telecommunications, which he worked on at the PUC.
The Beyer name has a lot of political currency in Lane County, especially in the moderate Springfield area, so he would be viewed as a frontrunner to succeed Morrisette, if he chooses to retire.
Assuming Beyer resigns to run for the legislature, one interesting prospect to replace on the PUC is Senator Rick Metsger, D-Welches. As chair of the Senate Business and Transportation Committee, Metsger has devoted a lot of time and legislative energy to issues considered by the PUC.
A Metsger departure would, in turn, create a vacancy to fill in a Senate seat that includes much of rural Clackamas County. Republicans would view this seat as an opportunity to shave the Democratic majority in the Senate from its 18-12 margin.
Rep. Mike Schauffler, D-Happy Valley, who often is more than a nudge to the right of his House Democratic colleagues, reportedly will face a primary challenge from Jesse Cornett, who told Willamette Week he plans to move to the district. Cornett, who lost in a bid for a Senate seat to Senator Rod Monroe, said Schauffler isn't progressive enough.
A Metsger appointment to the PUC could open the door for Schauffler to pursue his Senate seat, blunting Republican ambitions to capture it. However, Republicans may decide to mount a challenge in Schauffler's House seat.
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