Oregon Public Broadcasting

Democratic Congresswoman Darlene Hooley said Monday that she told a handful of interested lawmakers early of her intentions not to run again this year. Hooley has gotten heat from some corners for her late announcement about not seeking reelection.  Ethan Lindsey reports.

Hooley represents the most politically split of Oregon's congressional districts - Republicans hold a slight edge in her mid-Willamette Valley district.

Republican Mike Erickson has raised money to run against her for a second time. But he may have competition from former gubernatorial candidate Kevin Mannix.

The Democratic side is even wilder. Hooley says before she publicly announced she called a list of people.

Darlene Hooley: “What I tried to do while making this announcement was call the people who had ever contacted me saying they wanted to run. Everyone's going to be in the same position.”

Hooley says among others, she told state Senator Kurt Schrader and his wife Martha Schrader, a Clackamas county commissioner. She says she also told state Rep. Dave Hunt, who says he's not running.

Critics speculate Hooley gave an early hint to gubernatorial aide Paul Evans.  He's married to Hooley's chief of staff.

Those interested in running for the seat have to file by March 11.