Sen. Vicki Walker (D-Eugene) will resign to take a position on the State Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision on Sunday, according to a press release sent Wednesday.
The release quoted Walker as saying: “I am pleased the Governor has provided me with this opportunity to serve the state in another venue. Recognizing and prioritizing the needs of victims while providing offenders with an opportunity to demonstrate they can successfully re-enter society will be amongst my highest priorities.”
But the Oregonian painted a different picture of Walker’s resignation. At first the post seems a step down from being one of the most powerful legislators in Oregon government, but the Oregonian’s Jeff Mapes said it comes with a nearly six-figure salary.
That has, Mapes writes, fostered “conspiratorial rumors” that Gov. Ted Kulongoski appointed her as payback for her not running against him for governor in 2006. A member of a panel assembled to select parole board chair told Mapes Walker wasn’t a finalist, but the Oregonian correspondent dismisses payback rumors as “a bit fanciful.”
Meanwhile, KVAL speculates that Walker’s replacement will be one of Eugene’s state representatives, Nancy Nathanson and Chris Edwards. The replacement will be selected by county commissioners from Lane and Douglas Counties. Nathanson told the Register-Guard: “I’m interested in considering it. I’m going to be seriously considering it.”
Comments threads on sites like Blue Oregon are good for speculation on this sort of thing. For instance, read here for one person’s opinion on how this could affect the congressional race if DeFazio runs for governor and who could step in to fill the gap, and for people’s opinions about her.
Walker has represented Eugene in the State Senate since 2002. Her appointment to the parole board coincides with the resignation of Steven Powers as the board’s chair on June 30.
Read more in Monday’s Emerald.