John Kitzhaber to run for a 4th term as governor

[davidpdx]

John Kitzhaber announces for historic fourth term

Gov. John Kitzhaber announced at a news conference Monday morning that he'll run for re-election in 2014, seeking an unprecedented fourth term.

Kitzhaber, a Democrat, outlined four key goals: Adequately funding education, overseeing the implementation of the state's health care reforms, working to meet Oregon's carbon reduction goals, and boosting middle-class jobs.

snip

Kitzhaber becomes the immediate front-runner, unlikely to face significant opposition in the Democratic primary and with only two contenders so far hoping to face him in the general election, state Rep. Dennis Richardson of Central Point and eastern Oregon rancher Jon Justesen. Both face long odds; even without announcing, Kitzhaber has raised more than $239,000 this year.

Allen Alley, former chairman of the Oregon Republican Party, said Monday that he's still weighing a run and plans to make a decision sometime after Christmas. He ran in 2010, losing in the GOP primary to former Trail Blazer Chris Dudley. Dudley went on to narrowly lose to Kitzhaber.

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/12/john_kitzhaber_announces_for_h.html

[classof56]

1. I'm grateful John will run again.

I keep thinking what a nightmare we'd be dealing with if Chris Dudley had won. Was puzzled by the narrow margin between him and John, but guess I shouldn't have been surprised. I live over here in Redneckland and saw lots of Dudley signs. I'm wondering if he might not move back to Vancouver so he could run for Oregon governor again.

Kitzhaber 2014!

[LWolf]

2. Well, I sure don't want Richardson or Justesen.

I haven't been thrilled with Kitzhaber, but he's better than the alternative.

This Oregon teacher is a bit skeptical of his "adequately funding education" goal. Especially after the special session this fall that screwed current and future retirees.

Still, at this point, I'll take what I can get.

[davidpdx]

3. I generally like Kitzhaber. I voted for him three times.

I haven't been following stuff in Oregon as much since I now live overseas, so I'm a bit out of the loop.

It seems like there is a pretty deep bench of younger people on our side who would be good in the job.

[LWolf]

4. I liked him fine until this last round.

I still don't DISlike him; I'm on a hair trigger these days when it comes to my profession: public education, and the corporate reforms that are killing us.

[davidpdx]

5. I know that teachers are being treated pretty poorly these days

I loved most of my teachers in school (I had one who was psychotic in the 1st grade that I'll never forget though). In high school I had at least three that made a fairly strong impression on me and encouraged me despite my disability. Most of them are probably long past, but I often wish I could go back and thank them again. Schools were a quite different back in the 80's as we didn't have cell phones and all this other stuff distracting students.

[LWolf]

6. Yes.

Today's schools bear no resemblance to the schools that I attended, or the schools that I taught in when my career began.

[fun n serious]

7. Better than the alternative..

I totally agree with that statement. Therefore, even though I am not completely thrilled, I will vote for him in an attempt to keep the other guy out.

[cascadiance]

8. Conger's already campaigning HERE ON DU as a guy who started "homeless"...

GOP it appears badly wants to win the senate or governor's race this year... We'll need to campaign a bit back. Especially in the age of the "son of Citizen's United" now in effect.