Avakian Responds to Starr's Challenge for Labor Post: Updated

Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian
By NIGEL JAQUISS

Yesterday afternoon, WW posted a brief story saying that State Sen. Bruce Starr (R-Hillsboro) is telling people he's planning to challenge incumbent Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian in 2012. Starr, 42, won re-election in 2010, so he's in the middle of a four-year term and so can challenge Avakian without giving up his Senate seat.

Avakian responded to the news of a challenge less than two hours later at 4:39 p.m., by posting a $10,000 contribution from the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 701 with the elections division. Although Avakian has not yet filed for re-election, that check, a big one for the low-profile race, sends a clear signal.

The labor commissioner position is officially non-partisan but some Republicans see it as an opportunity to break the strangle-hold Democrats have held on state-wide offices since U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) defeated former U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton) in 2008. The last time a Republican held a non-federal state-wide office was 2003, when Jack Roberts finished his second term as labor commissioner.

Updated at 11:30 am: Starr says he is definitely entering the race.

"I intend to run and will file late Friday or tomorrow," Starr told WW.

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