Former gubernatorial aide Steve Marks racked up three more endorsements this week in his bid for the 5th district Democratic nomination.

Announcing their support for Marks in the race to succeed retiring Rep. Darlene Hooley (D) in the competitively drawn 5th district were former Gov. Barbara Roberts (D), ex-Rep. Les AuCoin (D) and former state Treasurer Jim Hill (D).

Marks had already been endorsed by his old boss, former Gov. John Kitzhaber (D).

Marks is running in the May 20 primary against state Sen. Kurt Schrader (D), who is better-funded and has more institutional support overall. Schrader closed the first quarter of this year with $56,000 in cash on hand; Marks finished the period with just $18,000.

Oregon is a vote-by-mail state, and primary ballots are set to begin arriving in voters’ mailboxes next week.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face either former state GOP Chairman Kevin Mannix or 2006 5th district nominee Mike Erickson (R) in the general election.

— David M. Drucker