Shakeup in governor's race: Allen Alley wants Republican nomination

Allen Alley, a Republican businessman who tried to become his party's gubernatorial nominee in 2010, announced Monday he's running again -- hoping he can mount an 11th-hour campaign to unseat Gov. Kate Brown this fall.

His decision comes the day before the deadline to file in the May 17 primary election. It also comes just after the end of a contentious legislative session that saw Brown and Democratic leaders push through major initiatives such as minimum wage increases and renewable power mandates.

And it ends months of hot-and-cold rumors about his intentions, culminating in a visit to the Oregon Capitol last week. Alley confirmed as early as last fall that he was interested in a run, but he also said he worried about the fate of his business interests.

He said the tension during the session, along with the lingering sting of controversy over the unbuilt Columbia River Crossing highway bridge and the state's Cover Oregon health insurance portal, persuaded him to give it a try.

Alley didn't mention specific policy goals in an interview. Instead, he emphasized what he argued is a lack of trust in state government.

"Salem's out of control and out of touch," Alley said. "It's really important that I get down there and I fix it."

Alley said he'll be focused on Brown from the start. Brown was appointed governor after John Kitzhaber resigned last year amid a federal investigation over influence-peddling allegations. She has said she plans to file for the right to finish what would have been Kitzhaber's fourth term this fall.

"Governor Brown is going to continue focusing on her job as governor," said Carol Butler, Brown's campaign consultant, "not on the Republican primary."

But first, Alley must face Salem oncologist Bud Pierce, who declared for the Republican primary last summer. Pierce has spent hundreds of thousands of his family's money building a campaign and trying to introduce himself to voters.

Pierce has also traveled the state and put himself in front of forums traditionally less friendly to Republicans, including a visit last weekend with the politically powerful Oregon Education Association.

"We've been planning on this for months," said Chuck Adams, Pierce's campaign consultant, on Alley's decision. "We just thought it would be a little earlier is all."

Alley, a tech investor and the former CEO of Pixelworks, can also self-fund. But he's said previously he expects to contact donors and solicit contributions. Alley also has lingering name recognition in political circles. He ran for state treasurer in 2008. He also tried to top former Trail Blazer Chris Dudley in the 2010 Republican governor's race.

Both Pierce and Alley are trying to buck history: Vic Atiyeh, who left office in 1987, was the last Republican elected to lead the state. The party hasn't won any statewide elections since 2002.

Before running for state office, Alley spent time as a deputy chief of staff under Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski. More recently, Alley served as chairman of the state Republican Party.

"He's the ultimate insider," Adams said.

Asked about his time with Kulongoski, which could become fodder for concern in a conservative-dominated Republican primary, Alley said he's "certainly proven that I can work with anybody."

He said Oregon's struggles with graduation rates and poverty defy party definitions, calling his campaign a "solution for Oregonians."

"Democrats are upset. Independents are upset. Republicans are upset," he said. "This system isn't working for anybody."

-- Denis C. Theriault

503-221-8430; @TheriaultPDX

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