PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- John Kitzhaber, a previous two-term governor, has defeated former Secretary of State and legislator Bill Bradbury to become the Democratic nominee for Governor of Oregon.
Bradley's campaign had rested on proposals to create a state-owned bank and to eliminate millions of dollars in tax credits to finance a sharp increase in spending on education.
We are at a turning point in our history, Kitzhaber said in his victory speech, citing his previous experience as governor. It is that successful experience, it is that understanding of Oregon's history, of actually having been a part of that history...that can help lead us out of the current recession and put Oregon back to work and make this the best place in the nation to do business.
Kitzhaber has called for drastic systems changes in the way the state government does business, such as budgeting as much as 10 years out and putting all education activities in one agency.
He will face Chris Dudley, who won the Republican race. Oregon voters set up a gubernatorial contest between a man who held the job for eight years and relative newcomer to politics.
