My fellow Oregonians -

Today, I am launching a campaign to serve you as Oregon's next Secretary of State. After serving sixteen years in the Oregon Legislature, the last nine as Democratic and Majority Leader, I have decided to take my proven leadership skills to statewide office. I'm thrilled for this new opportunity to serve and hope you'll agree that in this role, I can work with you and many others in accomplishing even more for all of Oregon.

My legislative career has been extremely satisfying. Over the years we have accomplished much to make Oregon a better state. I thank my colleagues for their support, and I would like to thank the thousands of Oregonians who participated in the legislative process as our partners in improving our great state. Now I want to be Oregon's next Secretary of State. If elected, I will bring the same dedication and hard work ethic I demonstrated in the legislature to the job. I will serve my full term and will fulfill my duties with integrity, fairness and common sense.

• Among the many important parts of this job, the Secretary of State is the keeper of Oregon's democracy. After years of chairing the Senate Rules and Elections Committee, which dealt with most aspects of election law and campaign finance measures, I am uniquely qualified to preserve the integrity of our elections.




• State government can work better. The Secretary of State manages auditing of government, and in leading that effort, I know we will find even more efficiencies and savings for taxpayers. It means real dollars to Oregonians - and that matters to me.
• I want to represent all Oregonians. Oregon's limited number of statewide elected officials means each plays a key role in representing all citizens and setting policies and agendas affecting the way we live now and will live tomorrow. As a statewide elected official, I would continue to fight for improving education, stewarding our environment and seeking creative solutions to growing our economy, in both our rural and our urban communities.

Bookmark this site and come back in the weeks ahead. I'll be expanding this website with more information about me, my campaign and the job of Secretary of State. You can also sign up to receive email newsletters from the campaign.

This will be a tough campaign, but I am prepared to run a strong, professional and winning race. I look forward to earning your support to be Oregon's next Secretary of State.

Sincerely,