Oregon Public Broadcasting

Monday is State Senator Margaret Carter's last official day on the job. She's ending a 24-year legislative career for a state government job. April Baer reports that local officials are closer to naming Carter's successor.

Carter represents District 22, a wide band across the north end of Portland that includes trendy business strips, gritty industrial areas, and some poverty-stricken neighborhoods.

The area has nurtured many urban activists, including State Representative Chip Shields. 

He was one of the first to indicate he'd be interested in taking over Carter's seat.

A former State rep with a long history in the area, Jo Ann Bowman, is also interested.

They're only two of the likely candidates. Multnomah County's Democratic party will hold a nominating convention for Carter's replacement on September 17th.

Party chair KC Hanson says two entities are guiding the process.

KC Hanson   "The precinct committee people in the district come together and select a minimum of three, and up to five names of people to submit to the county Commission. The County Commission then makes the selection for the vacancy."

The appointee will only serve until the next election in November.