OREGON GOVERNOR:
Spin Cycle Says Someone Not On The Ballot Won This One

May 17, 2006 (EXCERPT)

'02 candidate/ex-Portland school board member/atty. Ron Saxton (R) won the GOP nomination
5/16.... On the Dem side, Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) won re-nomination...

Saxton "vanquished" Mannix and Atkinson, and promised a united GOP effort to defeat Kulongoski,
"who easily defeated" his 2 Dem opponents. As Mannix conceded defeat, he pledged to help Saxton in
the general. Pol observer/analyst Jim Moore said GOP voters made it clear that Mannix should step
aside after his 4th statewide loss. Moore: "There was a sense that the Republicans finally needed to
have a winner. Republicans are really hungry to win any statewide office."

...

Kulongoski said he'll be facing "two Republicans in the fall," stressing Westlund's GOP history.
Now that "partisan primaries" are over, candidates "will shift their attention to" the center. Dem
consultant Mark Weiner: "Saxton needs to pretend he never met the guy who ran in the primary
election." Saxton was a "prolific" fundraiser while Mannix was "sustained largely" by Loren Parks.
Atkinson's entry into the primary cut into Mannix's clout with Christian conservatives (Law, Salem
Statesman Journal, 5/17). Atkinson conceded the election after 9 PM in front of 100 supporters.
Atkinson: "Now is the time to leave the campaign and get behind the Republican candidates." When
asked about a future GOV bid, Atkinson replied: "I'm going fishing for a long time" (Mann, Medford
Mail Tribune, 5/17).

The primary results "capped fierce, expensive primary battles that left even the winners bruised and
may have turned off voters." The 5/16 reported 32% turnout "was on its way to a record low." State
Sen. Ben Westlund (Indie): "I'm looking at this incredibly low voter turnout that tells me voters weren't
inspired by the choices presented by the two major parties" (Esteve, Portland Oregonian, 5/17).
As of 7 PM 5/16, officials reported a 32% turnout, which could be the lowest in 46 years for OR.
Turnout was 46.7% in '02. "Some of those who did voted...were feeling cranky about it" because of
all the "spineless politicians" (Cole, Portland Oregonian, 5/17).

Westlund manager Stacey Dycus: "The negative campaigning by partisan candidates reinforced the
rationale for a Ben Westlund governorship to voters who are already weary of politics as usual"
(release, 5/17).

The Oregonian writes Kulongoski must try to "mend" the state and he and Saxton should be
"considered survivors, not winners." The "only one obvious winner" is Westlund, who wasn't even on
the ballot. Otherwise, low numbers showed "uninspired voters turned by the crudeness of the
advertising campaigns." Kulongoski can't win without the public-employees union and environment
groups, Saxton can't challenge the Gov without unifying a party and both must "connect" with ORians
again (5/17).

Oregonian's Sarasohn writes "nobody was excited about" voting for Kulongoski. "At least 'The
Devil You Know' could fit on a bumper sticker....Still, a vote's a vote" (5/17)."