3 months ago
25
Republican Mike Erickson announced Wednesday that he would seek a rematch against freshman Rep. Andrea Salinas, the Oregon Democrat who beat him 50-48 after a nasty 2022 contest. But Erickson, who is no stranger to scandal, continues to argue that he lost only because of an attack ad from Salinas, and he's currently suing her for defamation.
Erickson, a wealthy logistics consultant, doesn't have the May 21 GOP primary himself, as former state Sen. Denyc Boles launched her own campaign in August. Boles, though, has struggled to raise money, finishing December with just $52,000 in the bank. The 6th District, which is based in the Salem area and Portland's southwestern suburbs, favored Joe Biden 55-42 in 2020, but Republicans hope that Salinas' tight 2022 win portends another close race.
Erickson's new bid is his latest in a long string of campaigns for public office, though he's yet to score a victory. He decisively lost races for the state House in 1988 and 1992, and his victorious opponent that second time was none other than future Gov. Kate Brown. He set his sights higher in 2006 when he took on Democratic Rep. Darlene Hooley in an old version of the swingy 5th District, but the blue wave helped carry the incumbent to a 54-43 victory.
Hooley decided to retire the following cycle, however, finally giving Erickson the opening he needed. First, though, he had to get through a tough primary against 2002 gubernatorial nominee Kevin Mannix, who sent out mailers late in the race accusing Erickson of impregnating a girlfriend in 2000 and paying for a subsequent abortion.
