U.S. Senator — Steve Novick (D)
Change is the theme for this year's election, but the question for the Democratic Senate primary isn't just who can create change, but who can beat incumbent Republican Sen. Gordon Smith in November?
Outsider candidate Steve Novick is EW's pick as a guy who can do both. Novick is strong on the environment and healthcare, strongly anti-war and most importantly not afraid to take a strong position on controversial issues like same-sex marriage (he's for it).
Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley is the mainstream candidate with a good record in the House (except for that pro-Iraq War vote in 2003, albeit with a mild disclaimer) and the backing of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, but Novick's innovative campaign has shown he can get things done and do it a little differently. (And the whole little guy with a hook thing is pretty unforgettable).
Eugene's Candy Neville, with no political experience, went from being the outside, outsider candidate to a real contender in the race, with one media poll even showing her with a slight lead over Merkley (both trailing Novick). Kudos to Neville for making a strong showing, and EW hopes to see her making waves in local politics in the future.
