Businesswoman Eileen Brady (D) told the Willamette Week newspaper that she has been contemplating a 2008 run for Senate for the past six months and is talking to state and national Democratic leaders about the race.

According to The Oregonian, Brady was scheduled to be in Washington, D.C., on Monday to meet with Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Charles Schumer (N.Y.).

Democrats thus far have struck out in their attempt to find a high-profile challenger to two-term Sen. Gordon Smith (R), but Brady, the personally wealthy founder of the New Seasons natural food chain, could fit the bill.

“It seems obvious we need a strong candidate,” Brady told Willamette Week. “I’ve always wanted to run for office as soon as our children were grown and out of college.”

The lone Democrats in the race so far are attorney and party activist Steve Novick and Ty Pettit, a medical equipment manufacturer. State Sen. Alan Bates (D) also is contemplating a run.

— Josh Kurtz