Speaking Of Comebacks ...
It's been rumored for some time. But the Willamette Week reports that former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) will file paperwork today to seek a new term in 2010. Kitzhaber served from 1995 to 2003. The current governor, Democrat Ted Kulongoski, is term-limited.
A Kitzhaber run would make him the third former governor looking to reclaim his old job in 2010, with at least two more still possible.
Democrat Jerry Brown of California, who served two terms from 1975-83, has worked his way back up through local and state government as he seeks a new term. In Georgia, Democrat Roy Barnes is looking to reclaim the office he lost in 2002.
On the Republican side, Terry Branstad, who served four terms from 1983-1999, is exploring a possible return as well. The Des Moines Register reports today that he has asked Rich Schwarm, a former state Republican Party chairman, to assess the fundraising and staffing he'd need to run in 2010. He has set an October deadline to make a decision.
In Maryland, former Gov. Robert Ehrlich (R) is keeping open the possibility of a re-match with Martin O'Malley, who defeated the one-term governor in 2006.
Brown and Barnes will have to survive primaries before getting the chance to run. Several Republicans are also already running in Iowa. In Maryland, Del. Patrick McDonough (R) has indicated he would not continue his gubernatorial campaign if Ehrlich runs, a decision he expects in January.
And, as we noted this morning, the New York Post reports that Eliot Spitzer is plotting a comeback as well. But, the paper says he's looking at the state comptroller or U.S. Senate race, and not looking for his old job.