For the second time in as many months, a prominent state legislator has been elevated from their position making law, to a position implementing law. Tigard Representative Larry Galizio (D) is the latest victim, moved upwards by Governor Kulongoski to a position on the State Board of Higher Education. The appointment is being called by detractors as a "payoff" for his about-face vote on the Metolius River bill, which barred resort building on an area of land near properties owned by State Senators Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose) and Ginny Burdick (D-Portland). In a report filed by Harry Esteve of The Oregonian, Galizio and other members close to the appointment decision refute the accusations. Galizio will officially resign his position on August 31st.

This appointment follows the appointment of State Senator Vicky Walker (D-Eugene) to the State Parole Board.

H/T to Harry Esteve of The Oregonian.

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The race to challenge 1st District Congressman David Wu (D-Beaverton) has received a new challenger. Stephen Andrew Brodhead, an Iraq war veteran and former real estate investor from Hillsboro, announced his bid for Wu's seat on Monday at Wu's townhall meeting in McMinnville. Brodhead, a "fiscal conservative Republican", has been a vocal critic of Wu and of the recent debt increases of the Obama Administration. In a press release delivered to Red County - Washington County on Monday, Brodhead stated that “Obama and Wu’s  “Great Socialist Sovereign less Insolvent Society “ has run amuck. We cannot allow the federal government to simply print money and run up huge deficits then demand that our children pay for it."

Brodhead joins Tualatin sports consultant Rob Cornilles in challenging Wu, whose seat has been talked about as one of 70 that the NRCC has targetted for 2010.

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It is a tough day for Jim Bernau, the CEO of Willamette Valley Vineyards, who was recently called out on the carpet by KYKN host Bill Post for his company's sponsorship of a bus for the radically left-wing Oregon Bus Project. In a post picked up by the Oregon Catalyst blog, Mr. Post details that a listener to his show called on Monday to inform him that a bus filled with ACORN-connected health care supporters arrived at McMinnville's Police Station, where Rep. David Wu was holding his townhall meeting. Also provided were pictures of the bus, with a prominent ad for Willamette Valley Vineyards on the back.

To read the rest of the story in a way that this journalist couldn't even begin to write it, you are urged to visit Bill Post's blog by clicking this link.

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A late entry to the WashCo wrap up:

Could Oregon have a second female governor in it's history? That's one rumor that's being circulated among the people in Washington County, with a recent news blurb stating Washington County Commissioner Desari Strader may be recruited to run for Governor as a Democrat. Strader, who represents Northeast Washington County, stated to Jill Rehkopf Smith of The Oregonian that "[Party leaders] want a woman". Strader would enter a wide open field of potential candidates, including State Representative Brian Clem (D-Salem), former Governor John Kitzhaber, and others. 

Oregon has only had one governor who was female, that being Governor Barbara Roberts, who served from 1991 to 1995.

H/T to Jill Rehkopf Smith @ The Oregonian