Richardson will run for secretary of state

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Former Republican state Rep. Dennis Richardson says he'll run for Oregon secretary of state. Richardson announced his plans on Thursday, nearly a year after he lost his campaign for governor to Democrat John Kitzhaber. Richardson, a Central Point resident, says the state has failed to restore the public's trust in government after the influence-peddling allegations led Kitzhaber to resign three months after the election. Richardson touted his experience as co-chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and says his skills are the right match for the job. He's the highest-profile Republican to announce a run for secretary of state. He'll face Lane County Commissioner Sid Leiken in the GOP primary. Three Democrats are also vying Oregon's second-highest office — Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian, state Rep. Val Hoyle and state Sen. Richard Devlin.