Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon State Senator Ben Westlund says he’s running for treasurer.  The Democrat from Bend made the announcement Wednesday at the state capitol in Salem.

Westlund has served in the legislature for 10 years.  But he says he’ll draw from his experience as a business owner if he gets elected treasurer.

Ben Westlund:  “I know firsthand the struggles of meeting payroll, the risk of expansion, and the prudence and discipline required of running a successful venture. They are lessons hard-learned and I will take them with me to the treasurer’s office.”

Westlund is the only candidate to seek the office so far.  Last year he briefly ran for governor as an independent before dropping out of the race.

The current State Treasurer, Randall Edwards, can’t seek re-election because of term limits.