SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken announced Wednesday that he will run in May for the Lane County Board of Commissioners, ending his bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio in the 4th Congressional District.
Leiken said “Springfield is where my heart is” and that he can be more effective as the city’s representative on the five-person county board. The 10-year mayor will rely on name recognition in hopes of separating himself from a crowded ballot that includes two other members of the City Council.
Initially lauded by Republicans nationally as their best hope to win a House seat long held by Democrats, Leiken faced an uphill battle against DeFazio, a 24-year incumbent. Leiken did poorly in campaign fundraising; as of the most recent filings, DeFazio had at his disposal more than 100 times Leiken’s campaign cash.
Plus, observers said Leiken’s violation of Oregon campaign laws last year could have hurt him. Leiken paid a $2,250 fine for unlawfully converting $2,000 of his mayoral campaign money to personal use.
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/updates/24523432-55/leiken-county-springfield-wednesday-board.csp
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