Gov. John Kitzhaber announced he will run for an unprecedented fourth term in 2014.
Gov. John Kitzhaber announced he will run for an unprecedented fourth term in 2014.
The announcement had been widely expected. Though Kitzhaber refrained from making his plans official until now — saying in September he might not run because of his age, 66, and a desire to spend time with his teenage son — he has been collecting campaign cash. He also outlined plans after this fall’s three-day special session to tackle tax reform as his next big initiative.
Kitzhaber becomes the immediate front-runner, unlikely to face significant opposition in the Democratic primary and with only two contenders so far hoping to face him in the general election, state Rep. Dennis Richardson of Central Point and eastern Oregon rancher Jon Justesen. Both face long odds; even without announcing, Kitzhaber has raised more than $239,000 this year.
Read more at OregonLive.com.
