Avakian Seeks Wu’s Seat, Fund-Raises in Bend

Rep. David Wu served Oregon’s 1st Congressional District in Portland since 1999. But Wu resigned this month following published allegations that he had made inappropriate sexual advances involving an 18-year-old woman, the daughter of a campaign donor.

Since then several candidates have launched campaigns for his seat, including state Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian, who was in Bend Friday for a campaign fund-raiser at the home of two prominent local Democrats. NewsChannel 21 got a chance to catch up with him to discuss how the race is going and his feelings on Wu’s resignation under fire.

There weren’t supposed to be such events at this point in the typical election cycle. But what’s happened over the last several weeks was anything but typical.

“I’ve got to tell you honestly for David Wu’s family and staff, I hope they all find themselves in a better place and hope he gets the help he says he needs,” Avakian said.

Avakian is seeking Oregon’s First Congressional District seat, vacant since Wu’s resignation.

Avakian was in Bend Friday for a fund-raiser held at the home of former Deschutes County DA Mike Dugan and former state lawmaker Judy Stiegler.

Avakian says he’s more focused on the race than on David Wu’s past.

“Right now, we are focusing on what this district needs. We are focusing on what the state and nation need,” Avakian said.

Avakian says that includes jobs and education. He actually got into the race three months before the latest transgressions came out on Wu, hoping to unseat him next year. Instead, Gov. John Kitzhaber has scheduled a Nov. 8 primary election and a special election Jan. 31 to fill the vacant seat.

So Avakian has had to hit the accelerator earlier than expected.

“I ran against him because we needed a strong partner in Congress, somebody that wasn’t just going to be there for a vote when needed but who was going to put forth a progressive proactive for the district,” Avakian said.

Even though the congressional seat represents northwest Oregon, people in Deschutes County say it still affects us here.

“I know Brad Avakian will represent the district up here, the Democrats up here — it doesn’t matter if he’s in the First Congressional District,” Harriet Heisey said.

Others seeking the Democratic nomination are state Sen. Suzanne Bonamici and state Rep. Brad Witt. The winner of the November primary would face one of two Republicans, either real estate Investment manager Jim Greenfield or businessman Rob Cornilles.

And if events like the one held in Bend are any indication, this is going to be a race where candidates will reach to all corners of our state for support.