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--> --> Snodgrass backs Jack Roberts for Oregon governor By Brad Cain Associated Press Writer SALEM - Former House Speaker Lynn Snodgrass, a leading social issues conservative who had been mentioned as a possible contender for governor, announced Wednesday she's endorsing Labor Commissioner Jack Roberts for the 2002 gubernatorial race. Hoping to shore up conservative Republican support for the race, Snodgrass said she's decided against running and will instead become part of Roberts' campaign team because he's "demonstrated his ability to win statewide elections." "I trust Jack Roberts and all Republicans, whether moderate or conservative, can trust Jack's judgment and vision," Snodgrass said at the Portland news conference. The joint appearance by Roberts and Snodgrass, coming a year before the May 2002 GOP primary, underscores the importance Roberts' strategists place on having the politically moderate candidate reach out to the conservative wing of the GOP. Right now, Roberts' only major opponent for the GOP nomination is Ron Saxton, a Portland school board member who's also viewed as a political moderate. A possible wild card in the Republican race would be if a well-known conservative jumps in, and on Wednesday, former state Rep. Kevin Mannix of Salem said he's leaning toward joining. Mannix urged potential supporters "to keep their powder dry." "Now that Lynn Snodgrass is not running, it's evident to me that we need some choices in the Republican primary," said Mannix, who ran for attorney general last year. "If I were a betting person, there's a good likelihood I will decide to become a candidate." Roberts, asked about a possible primary race against Mannix, said he's the only Republican candidate for governor who already has won two statewide elections against tough Democratic opponents. He first was elected to head the state Bureau of Labor and Industries in 1994, and was re-elected in 1998. "I do think that after losing four straight governors' races to the Democrats, Republicans are ready to get behind someone who can win," Roberts said. "The way to do that is to appeal to all segments of our party." But it's possible Roberts might have lost some support within his own party by campaigning last fall against measures sponsored by tax activist Bill Sizemore to curb labor unions' political power and to slash state income taxes by $1 billion. Sizemore said Wednesday he would oppose Roberts' candidacy for governor. "Lynn Snodgrass can endorse Jack Roberts if she wants, but she doesn't speak for conservatives when she does so, because there is nothing conservative about Jack Roberts' politics," said Sizemore, who is head of Oregon Taxpayers United. Democrats already in the contest to succeed Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber, who by law can't seek a third term, are former State Treasurer Jim Hill and Beverly Stein, a former Multnomah County Commission chairwoman. Democrat Mike Thorne announced his resignation earlier this month as Port of Portland director to move ahead with his plans to run for governor in 2002. Other possible Democratic contenders in the May 2002 primary election include Congressman Peter DeFazio and Oregon Supreme Court Justice Ted Kulongoski. 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