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Oregon Democrats have three state senators to choose from for their nomination for secretary of state in the May 20 primary. Sens. Kate Brown of Portland, Rick Metsger of Sandy and Vicki Walker of Eugene are competing for their party’s nomination. Rick Dancer, a Eugene television anchor, is unopposed for the Republican nomination.
Democrats would do well by nominating Metsger. He has demonstrated, through 10 years in the Oregon Senate, that he is a fair-minded person who makes decisions based on what is best for Oregon, not just his party.
Metsger actually supports making the secretary of state’s office nonpartisan, which makes sense for Oregon and would take politics out of the various functions that are part of the job — elections, state agency audits, serving on the State Land Board, and of course redistricting after the 2010 census.
Metsger understands the role of the secretary of state. But he also believes the office can be more than just a caretaker. He sees a role for Oregon’s secretary of state to be an advocate for issues that are important to the state. During his tenure in the state Senate, Metsger has taken particular interest in transportation issues, economic development and natural resources. He sees no reason that those interests would have to wane if he should win the office of secretary of state.
Metsger, as chairman of the Senate Business and Transportation Committee, has not confined himself to only serving metro needs. Maybe it’s because he lives outside the metro area, or that he simply sees Oregon needs on a statewide basis, but the fact is he understands the challenges those of us in rural areas face. As an advocate for issues important to Oregon, he won’t forget the rural parts of the state.
He saw the need and became an advocate for Sen. David Nelson’s Oasis project that would deliver more Columbia River water to the Columbia Basin, helping ensure that Oregon gets more of its share.
Metsger also stressed the need for the secretary of state’s office to be more aggressive in the way it conducts performance audits of state agencies. Through the audits, the secretary of state can help hold state agencies more accountable to the public.
Metsger isn’t a partisan politician. He’ll work for what’s best for Oregon. Democrats should advance him to the November general election.
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Opinion 
