The Oregonian: Brown kicks off SOS bid

Oregon Sen. Kate Brown will launch her campaign for secretary of state on Thursday with stops in Eugene, Bend, Medford and Portland.

The Portland Democrat faces fellow Sens. Vicki Walker of Eugene and Brad Avakian of Bethany in the May primary. No Republicans have announced for the job although last we heard, Sen. Bruce Starr, R-Hillsboro, was considering it.

If money is any indicator this early on, then Brown is the clear front runner. She's raised $85,000 this year, and spent $62,000. Big-time contributors are faithful party donor and publisher Win McCormack and winery owner Eric Lemelson.

Plus, Brown's also got 60-some notables on her official campaign kickoff team, including Portland Mayor Tom Potter, his maybe successor Sam Adams, a trio of Kafourys and former Gov. Barbara Roberts.

Walker has raised about $8,000 this year and spent $12,000. She's collected modest contributions from Columbia Sportswear executive and former Kulongoski chief of staff Peter Bragdon, lawyer/activist Dan Meek, and Oregon AFSCME.

Avakian has raised about $7,500 this year and gone through $14,000.

-Janie Har