Derrick Kitts made it official today and announced he will challenge 4-term incumbent Congressman (Democrat) David Wu this fall.
From the Oregonian:
Kitts runs for Congress
Rep. Derrick Kitts, R-Hillsboro, will run against Congressman David Wu rather than seek re-election to the Oregon Legislature this year, Kitts announced Wednesday.
Kitts, 32, is in his second two-year term in the Oregon House. He said he differs with Wu on a number of issues, including trade, taxes, immigration and private property rights.
During the 2005 Legislature, Kitts chaired the House Elections and Rules Committee. His top accomplishment of the session was successfully working for passage of legislation that made several changes in campaign finance disclosure laws. The legislation was introduced after a Salem representative resigned amid allegations that led to his guilty plea and a jail sentence for filing false campaign finance reports. (Editors Note: Kitts only passed this bill after he was exposed using leftover campaign money for things such as limo rides, spendy hotel rooms, and golfing.)
Wu, a Portland Democrat, is expected to run for his fifth two-year term in Congress. With more than $435,000 in the bank as of his latest report last year, Wu has a substantial head start on Kitts in raising campaign money.