Bruce Starr Likely Challenging Avakian for BOLI Post

Brad Avakian
By NIGEL JAQUISS

State Sen. Bruce Starr (R-Hillsboro) has told  lobbyists and other Salem insiders he's seriously considering challenging incumbent Bureau of Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian, who is a Democrat, next year.

Starr has served in the Legislature since 1999, moving from the House to the Senate in 2003. He has focused on transportation issues in recent years and has become known as one of Salem's go-to lawmakers on that topic. Avakian, also a Washington County lawmaker prior to Gov. Ted Kulongoski's naming his Labor Commissioner in 2008, is coming off a stinging defeat in the October special First Congressional District primary. 

Starr was not immediately available for comment.

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