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--> --> DeFazio decides against run for Senate in 2002 By Katherine Pfleger Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON - Rep. Peter DeFazio said Wednesday he doesn't have time for the distraction of an Oregon Senate race and plans to run for re-election for his House district. The announcement eliminated the possibility of a Democratic primary between DeFazio and Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury, who is running against freshman Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore. DeFazio said Wednesday he has been consumed by issues relating to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, including legislative efforts to make air transportation safer after the hijackings. He was also involved in congressional meetings about whether to give President Bush the authority to use force against those responsible for the attacks and a package to bail out the airline industry. "It is not a time for me to divert my energies away from my job and into a political campaign," 54-year-old DeFazio said. "I don't have time to do that now, and I don't see when there is going to be time in the foreseeable future for me to do that." Smith issued a one-sentence statement saying he has had a "constructive, bipartisan" relationship with DeFazio and looks forward to working with him in the future. The Oregon Democratic Party wasn't let down by DeFazio's decision. Chairman Jim Edmundson said DeFazio's stature in the House is an important asset for Oregon. "I would only be disappointed if Congressman DeFazio had retired," he said. Edmundson said DeFazio's decision will allow the party to focus on the Democratic gubernatorial primary, now split between former Supreme Court Justice Ted Kulongoski, former state Treasurer Jim Hill and Bev Stein, former chairwoman of the Multnomah County Commission. DeFazio, known for his sometimes loud and impassioned speeches during congressional debates, has been considering several career moves in recent months. In addition to ruling out a Senate bid, DeFazio decided in September against running for governor in a race to succeed Democrat John Kitzhaber. Kitzhaber, who cannot run for governor again, decided in October against a Senate run. Bradbury's entry into the Senate fray meant a Democratic primary would have been a necessity if DeFazio also threw his name in. That could have weakened both candidates before what could be a tough race against a well-financed Smith. "Nobody likes a contested primary," said Jeremy Wright, political director of Bradbury's campaign. "This clears the way for the message this campaign is going to make: that Gordon Smith is too conservative for Oregon." Bill Lunch, an Oregon State University political science professor, said many Democratic insiders "would probably have preferred that if Kitzhaber wasn't going to run (for Senate), that DeFazio would have." Still, Lunch said if Democrats were to regain control of the House, DeFazio would stand a good chance of gaining a leadership position on a committee. "There is the possibility of him becoming a major player in the House," Lunch said. "His institutional influence would then be even greater." DeFazio said he doesn't expect an easy ride back to his House seat in coastal Oregon, which includes Springfield and Eugene. Unbeknownst to most, he pointed out, he has the most competitive of the four Democratic districts in Oregon. That said, DeFazio did win in November with an enviable 68 percent of the vote. "I work hard at it," he said. "It is not something that just happens." Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing