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State Senate 8
 Senator
Frank Morse, R-Albany
Interim email: sen.frankmorse@state.or.us
Website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/morse
District: This Benton-Linn turf includes
pretty much all of Corvallis and Albany, plus a few small nearby
communities (Philomath, Tangent, Adair Village). The dynamics here
reflect the tension between the two similarly-sized larger cities,
one (Corvallis) strongly Democratic, the other (Albany) leaning
decidedly Republican. The rural surrounds are generally more Republican,
tipping the odds slightly in that direction.
Background: Frank Morse, one of the more
moderate Republicans remaning in the Oregon Legislature, is a reasonable
fit in such a district where a successful legislator can ill-afford
to deeply offend many people. In looking at the two House districts
here, the Benton one has been electing Democratic House members,
and the Linn one has been electing Republicans. The two taken together
are a balancing act.
Morse has managed this better than most could
have. In 2002 he only marginally lost Benton while winning Linn
2-1, for an overall 54.6% win. He's not especially controversial
and clearly has a broad base of respect. Most of his strength here
is probably personal, rather than partisan – the right centrist
personality of either party probably could take it. In fact, a similarly
configured district was held by a Democrat before Morse.
Bottom line: No one has filed here. If
Morse files, he will be hard for a Democrat to beat, but if turnout
in Benton is accelerated, it's not impossible – this is not
a lock district for anyone. If he doesn't file, it's up for grabs.
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Randy Stapilus
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