Oregon Public Broadcasting

Democratic candidates for Oregon's 1st Congressional District on Tuesday talked about the last man to hold the office on Oregon Public Broadcasting's Think Out Loud program.

John Rosman / OPB

Brad Avakian, Suzanne Bonamici and Bill Witt

One caller asked the candidates why they hadn't challenged former Rep. David Wu for the seat several years ago, when a story surfaced in 2004 of an alleged sexual assault in Wu's college years.

State Sen. Suzanne Bonamici said she made up her mind early this year to run against him.

"I was watching his career as a legislative official and a resident of the district. But during the legislative session, I could not file to run against him because I was busy doing the work of the legislature. I filed after the legislative session," she said.

State Rep. Brad Witt said he, too, was consumed with the work of the legislature, and so did not enter the race sooner. But Wu was on his mind in 2010.

"Along about midyear, I had made the decision he (Wu) could no longer stand for election," Witt said.

Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian said he began thinking about a run back when the college-assault claim surfaced.

"I had great concerns about David Wu. I may have chosen to run against David Wu sooner, except that my children were at home. They're off at college now," Avakian said.

Avakian pointed out he was the only candidate to file against Wu while the Congressman was still in office. The candidates are facing off in a special primary that will determine who runs in the general election to fill Wu’s seat.