Oregon: Allen Alley

Looks like Allen Alley is working to shun the Palin-centered GOP base on the issue of abortion. Jeff Mapes: When I first talked to Alley a month ago about his possible political plans, I asked him, among other issues, about abortion, which is an important factor with GOP primary voters - particularly since one of the most influential groups on the Republican side is Oregon Right to Life. Alley said that in his race for state treasurer last year, he essentially avoided the issue, saying that it didn't really have anything to do with the duties of the office. "I...

Jeff Mapes: Alley, 54, becomes the first candidate to formally announce his candidacy for governor in 2010, although several other candidates from both parties are looking at the race. Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who is in his second term, is prevented by term limits from running again. Alley brings an unusual set of experiences to the governor's race. He is a former automotive and aerospace engineer who came to Oregon in 1992 and helped found Tualatin-based Pixelworks, which provides chips to the display industry. Alley ran an unsuccessful campaign for State Treasurer in 2008 against Ben Westlund. If Alley expects to...

This is the first of an occasional series of conversations with people who might be running for governor in 2010. When I met Allen Alley the other day at a Starbucks in downtown Portland, he looked like a guy running...

The Oregon Republican Party is coming off an election where sentiments against Republican elected officials at the national level may have led to the defeat of incumbent state reps, qualified  statewide candidates, and U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton).