Kevin Mannix, a two-time gubernatorial candidate and former chairman of the state Republican Party, is expected to announce this morning that he is entering the race to replace retiring Rep. Darlene Hooley (D).

Mannix has a news conference scheduled at the Salem airport, and while he has not said what his plans are, he noted in an interview with The Oregonian this week that the airport provides easy service to Washington, D.C.

Assuming he is running, Mannix will face businessman and 2006 GOP nominee Mike Erickson in a potentially contentious primary.

Democrats in the race include state Sen. Kurt Schrader and Steve Marks, the former chief of staff to ex-Gov. John Kitzhaber (D). The filing deadline is Tuesday.

With Hooley retiring after six terms, the competitive Willamette Valley district represents one of House Republicans’ top pickup opportunities of the cycle.
— Josh Kurtz