As expected, state Sen. Betsy Close, R-Albany, next year will run for a four-year term in the position to which she was appointed a year ago. She talked to me on camera just before she announced her plans at a reception at the Albany Golf and Event Center Thursday evening. She plans to file on Friday.
State Rep. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, has filed for the Senate job as well. District 8 includes the cites of Albany and Corvallis and the rest of House Districts 15 and 16. Close, a former state representative from Albany, was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Frank Morse.
Assuming both win their respective primaries — no other contenders have come forward on either side — District 8 voters will have the choice of two women who are both veterans of the legislative process. Neither has lost an election for legislative office.
