Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon gubernatorial candidate Bill Sizemore says he'll represent himself in what he hopes is a quick trial on tax evasion charges.  The initiative activist was arraigned on three felony counts Monday.  Chris Lehman reports.

Sizemore and his wife are accused of failing to file three years worth of state tax returns.  The two appeared together in front of a judge in Marion County Circuit Court for about a minute. 

Bill Sizemore exits the Marion County Circuit Court after his arraignment.

The Sizemores did not enter a plea -- that could come at their next court appearance, December 29th.

Bill Sizemore says he'll plead not guilty, though he admits he and his wife have not filed the tax returns in question.

The Republican candidate for governor says he hopes to be able to get on with campaigning.

Bill Sizemore:  "I think the voters of Oregon, especially the Republican voters in the primary, have a right to know whether this guy who's asking for their vote is going to be a convicted felon or whether he's just a victim of political persecution."

Sizemore says he's representing himself so he can talk directly to jurors without the filter of an attorney. 

He announced his candidacy for governor last month.  The last time he ran for governor, in 1998, he won the Republican primary but was trounced by Democrat John Kitzhaber in the general election.