Under Oregon law, Gov. John Kitzhaber calls for a special election to replace a member of Congress. His spokeswoman Christine Miles said he was still reviewing the procedures Tuesday and would outline the election parameters when a review was completed.
Complicating that review is the fact that U.S. Rep David Wu, while announcing his intent to resign, has not officially done so. Nor has he specified a date, other than sometime after the debt ceiling vote in Congress has taken place.
For Wu to do an about face is not without precedent. Disgraced former Idaho Senator Larry Craig announced his retirement after a Minneapolis airport sting targeting gay pickups, but he later changed his mind and fulfilled the balance of his term. He is now a consultant and lobbyist.
The next primary election for Congress in Oregon is May of 2012, and the general election is in November of 2012.
Full Article: How Wu vacancy would get filled | kgw.com Portland.