It took David Carrier (D-Cascade Park) getting stood up twice before he decided to stand up. At least that is one way to look at it. The Columbian is reporting that the WSU-Vancouver assistant economics professor was ditched twice by Sen. Don Benton for meetings on affordable housing, health care and predatory lending before finally showing up and trumpeting the need for tax cuts.

That, combined with his participation in this February's Democratic caucus, has Currier stepping up to run for State Senate in the 17th District.

"People were so energized," Carrier said.of the caucus. "I have a dream of bringing that kind of participation into the Legislature."

The 52 year old outdoor sports enthusiast, who sits on the board of the Southwest Washington Community Land Trust and the Jubilee Oregon Campaign for National Debt Review, has never run for office before