Telfer, Others To Run For State Treasure

Sen. Chris Telfer

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BEND, OR -- State Senator Chris Telfer said she will file Tuesday to run for the state Treasure seat vacated by the death of Ben Westlund. Westlund died of cancer Sunday. Telfer, who currently sits in the senate seat Westlund held for several years, says as a certified public accountant, she has the needed experience to be the first Republican state Treasure since the early 1990s. Democrat Rick Metsger of Welches has also announced plans to run for the Treasure position. The candidates must act quickly because the filing deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday. 

Governor Ted Kulongoski has scheduled a news conference Tuesday morning. Under state law, he appoints a treasurer to serve until voters choose a successor in November. Governor Kulongoski has also ordered all flags at public institutions be flown at half-staff from sunrise on Tuesday to sunset on Sunday, March 14th to honor Westlund.

"Ben Westlund was a friend, a husband, a father and an eternal optimist who never stopped fighting to make Oregon a better place for us all to live," Governor Kulongoski said. "His legacy will serve as an inspiration to us today and generations into the future."

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