First Potential GOP Challenger For Gov. Kate Brown Surfaces

While much of the speculation in Salem this session about which Republicans might seek the GOP nomination for governor next year has centered on state Rep. Knute Buehler (R-Bend) and Secretary of State Dennis Richardson, the emergence of another potential candidate last week caused a flurry of discussion in the Capitol.

That potential candidate is Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the mayor of Happy Valley.

Chavez-DeRemer ran a strong race in 2016 in House District 51, losing the contest to now-Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-Clackamas) 51 percent to 49 percent.

The competition for the seat vacated by former state Rep. Shemia Fagan (D-Clackamas) became the most expensive House race in Oregon history, with Bynum spending $1.1 million and DeRemer spending $870,000.

Read more: http://www.wweek.com/news/2017/06/26/first-potential-gop-republican-challenger-for-gov-kate-brown-surfaces/