Westlund plans to run for state treasurer
No one else has filed for the office, to be vacated by Randall Edwards

BY BRAD CAIN
The Associated Press

October 4, 2007

Democratic state Sen. Ben Westlund says he's going to run for state treasurer next year. And at least for now, he's got the playing field all to himself.

The Bend lawmaker made the announcement Wednesday at a news conference where he drew the endorsement of Gov. Ted Kulongoski -- even though Westlund for a time ran as an independent candidate for governor in 2006.

Westlund, 58, is a cancer survivor who has served in the Legislature since 1997. He has developed a reputation as a political maverick.

He began his legislative career as a Republican, dropped the GOP party label to run for governor and then became a Democrat in time for the 2007 legislative session.

He's hoping to replace fellow Democrat Randall Edwards, who cannot run for re-election because of term limits. No other contenders have filed for the office so far, although the candidate filing period remains open until March.

One of the Legislature's most gregarious characters, Westlund is personally wealthy, a former bull-semen salesman who's known as a good storyteller.

But Westlund has a serious side, as well, and is known as a strong advocate for universal health care, gay rights and state funding for the arts.

Kulongoski cited those stands in saying Westlund would be well suited to becoming the next treasurer to help invest $60 billion in state revenue and help oversee state lands and other assets.

As the House budget chief in 2002, Westlund led an effort to cut more than $1 billion from the state budget when tax revenues fell, but he supported a tax increase that voters defeated in 2004.

He opposed same-sex marriage on the 2004 ballot but sponsored legislation in 2005 to legalize marriage-like civil unions for same-sex couples.