07/03/2009

Associated Press

Senate President Peter Courtney has ruled out a run for governor.

The Salem Democrat tells the Statesman Journal newspaper his thousands of votes and perhaps that many off-the-cuff statements would make it tough for him to win a statewide contest.

Two recent governors were legislative leaders first. One of them, Gov. John Kitzhaber, is considering a comeback in 2010.

Current Gov. Ted Kulongoski is barred from running next year because he has served two consecutive four-year terms.

Other potential contenders on the Democratic side are U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio and former Secretary of State Bill Bradbury.

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Information from: Statesman Journal, http://www.statesmanjournal.com