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Portland-area voters deserve a debate in their city that is focused on their issues. Those voters will likely swing the election. If Drazan can reduce Kotek’s large advantage in the area by just a few percentage points, she could claim Mahonia Hall. Kotek, on the other hand, needs to shore up some dissatisfied Democrats who may be thinking of voting for Drazan knowing the Legislature will still be firmly in Democratic control, and want a rev limiter on some of the more radical ideas coming out of those chambers.

The extreme right of the MAGA movement and the extreme left of the Democratic Socialists of America have both built their followings rallying against the existing political establishment — “the people against the entrenched elite.” MAGA views government institutions as the enemy, while the DSA opposes the capitalistic, corporate empire they believe feeds off the sweat and blood of the working class.

Five changes the Legislature might consider to lift Oregon schools out of the nation’s basement in school performance. None will be easy. The status quo is a formidable opponent.

The ODOT director called it quits at the end of last year and two interim directors have warmed the chair since. Sources familiar with the search say finding a permanent replacement has been — to be kind — challenging.