OR-5 is one of the most vulnerable Democratic-held seats this cycle, as the current Democratic incumbent Darlene Hooley has decided to resign. Rep. Hooley won this swing-district, which actually has a Republican registration plurality, by typically about 10% based on her moderate voting record, and as an open seat it is being hotly contested in the Republican primary.
For more background, see my previous diary on this topic: http://www.dailykos.com/...
Today, the strongest and most well-known Republican candidate, Kevin Mannix, made his official declaration, setting off what will likely be a bloody primary on the Repubilcan side.
Update: The MSM is finally starting to report this: blog.oregonlive.com/politics/2008/03/mannix_makes_it_official_hes_r.html
as is the most prominent Oregon political blog:
www.blueoregon.com/2008/03/the-trouble-wit.html
www.blueoregon.com/2008/03/mannix-running.html
Read More