Rep. Greg Walden, the last remaining Republican in the Beaver State delegation, announced earlier this month that he was giving the state GOP $10,000 and also forming a new political action committee devoted to helping elect more Republicans to all levels of government in Oregon.

Walden made the announcement while giving the keynote address at the Dorchester Conference, a duty that usually has fallen to Sen. Gordon Smith (R) — who was defeated for re-election last year.

Walden’s formation of the New Pioneers PAC, first reported by the Oregonian, comes as he is taking a more visible role in the House GOP’s efforts to regain the majority, serving as deputy chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee for the 2010 cycle.

A former state House Majority Leader, Walden has said he is pondering a gubernatorial run next year, but few observers believe he will ultimately take the plunge.