As a prospect against Republican Senator Gordon Smith next year, that is. This isn't remotely a surprise, exactly for the reasons he spells out to The Hill in an article today: “I had my run at the Senate. [Now] I’m holding a gavel for the first time in my 20-year career. I’m not looking to do anything else — become the junior senator from Oregon with no seniority and not chairing a committee.â€
Still, that DeFazio didn't take himself out of consideration sooner indicates that maybe he was just intrigued enough to have some reluctance in kissing it off entirely. Smith is vulnerable, he iis quoted elsewhere as saying, and had "very weak opponents" in his last two races.
The field narrows.