When Brad Avakian decided to replace Labor Commissioner Dan Garner, it was already past the filing deadline. The Democrats therefore have to choose a slate of three to five nominees to replace the state senator and send it on to the county commissioners in the affected district.

When party members from Washington and Multnomah counties met this past weekend, they put Suzanne Bonamici at the top of that slate. Democrats also chose Julie Young, a children's advocate, and Paul Terdal, a management consultant, to round out the list.

Bonamici will now have to be approved by the county commissioners before replacing Avakian through the general election.