Oregon Public Broadcasting

Republican leaders in the Northwest are hoping that GOP victories in a pair of east coast governor's races foreshadow similar results here. 

That was the message in a pair of conference calls organized by the Republican National Committee Wednesday.  As Chris Lehman reports, Democrats call the prediction "wishful thinking."

Washington state Republican chair Luke Esser and his counterpart in Oregon, Bob Tiernan, each say the 2009 mid-term elections show that voters are upset with Democratic leadership. 

Esser predicted the GOP would pick up more seats in the Washington Legislature. 

Tiernan said Republicans in Oregon would defeat two Democratic Congressmen and take back the governor's office for the first time in more than 20 years, if this week's election is any indication.

Bob Tiernan:  "I think it's a deal-changer.  I think what's happened in Virginia and New Jersey is going to be repeating itself here."

Still, Oregon Republicans face some long odds.  They lost a potential candidate for governor this week when State Senator Frank Morse decided not to enter the race.  And Democrats far outnumber Republicans in voter registration in Oregon.