Former Kitzhaber Advisor Joins 5th District Race

POLITICS 

By Pete Springer

Portland, OR  March 4, 2008 4:27 p.m.

Another candidate is making a bid for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District.

Democrat Steve Marks announced Tuesday that he’ll run in the May primary for the seat being vacated by Darlene Hooley. Pete Springer reports.

Steve Marks worked as both Chief of Staff and Chief Policy Advisor to former Governor John Kitzhaber during the 1990s.

He’s been working as a consultant since then on issues ranging from health care to economic development.

Marks says one of the issues he considers important for the 5th Congressional district is sustainable agriculture. 

Steve Marks: “Food production is projected to double by 2050 and that means there’s going to be a lot of demands on the Willamette Valley and we’ve got to get ahead of the curve with the kind of environmental technologies and techniques that help us meet those demands.”

Marks will face Democratic state senator Kurt Schrader in the primary.

Mike Erickson is running on the GOP side and Republican Kevin Mannix is expected to join the race this week as well.

Share this article: del.icio.us digg newsvine

© 2008 OPB