Oregon speaker looks to take on GOP senator

By BRAD CAIN - Associated Press
Friday, June 29, 2007 11:56 AM PDT

SALEM — Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley confirmed Thursday that he recently traveled to the East Coast to discuss a possible run against Republican U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith in 2008, and that more talks could be forthcoming.

Merkley said the meeting in New York came at the request of U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who as chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is in charge of recruiting possible challengers to take on Smith next year. Merkley said he told Schumer and others with the committee he would give the matter serious thought after the 2007 Legislature adjourned for the year.

‘‘They contacted me; I was honored; and I said after the session we could have a further discussion,’’ the Portland Democrat said in an interview.

With the Legislature having adjourned Thursday, Merkley said he’s now going spend time talking with family members and others about whether to mount a challenge against the well-funded Smith.

If Merkley did decide to mount a U.S. Senate bid, he would have to give up his speakership and his seat in the House, something he said would be ‘‘extremely difficult.’’

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‘‘This is a wonderful place to be, making a real difference in people’s lives,’’ he said of the House speaker’s post that he assumed after Democrats regained control of the chamber from the Republicans in the November 2006 election.

Nonetheless, Merkley said he is giving serious thought to a Senate run.

‘‘I left the door open to engaging in that conversation,’’ he said.

Word of Merkley’s visit with Schumer comes as national Democrats continue to search for a big-name contender to take on Smith, who’s been reaching out to moderate Oregon voters in recent months.

So far, none of Oregon’s Democratic congressmen or statewide officeholders have been willing to challenge Smith. And the national Democrats have yet to rally around the only announced candidate so far, Portland consultant Steve Novick.

Other Democrats who are considering the race include state Sen. Alan Bates of Ashland; Portland business owner Eileen Brady, and radio talk show host Jeff Golden of Ashland.

A spokesman for the Democratic campaign committee in Washington, D.C., declined to discuss Merkley’s trip to New York or the potential candidacies of Bates, Brady or Golden.

‘‘Gordon Smith is one of the most vulnerable senators in the country,’’ Matt Miller said. ‘‘We are confident we will have a strong nominee who will run a successful challenge next year.’’