The Wicked Witch of the East draws another opponent

GOP House Speaker Karen Minnis has pissed off more than just the left, it seems.

The Libertarians aren't too happy with her either:

State Libertarians on Saturday nominated Brad Fudge to run against House Speaker Karen Minnis, R-Wood Village, this fall.

Fudge, a 53-year-old businessman, ran for a Washington County house seat in 2004 as a Republican and lost to Suzanne Gallagher, who was more socially conservative and clearly favored by House leaders. Gallagher went on to lose to Democrat Larry Galizio.

Fudge, who moved to Fairview in early 2005, said he was shocked by the Republican party's focus on its "religious, social agenda" as opposed to business issues. He acknowledged it will be tough to beat such a well-financed incumbent, but he said, "if we can do nothing else but engage in dialogue and make some people realize we need to come back to the center, it'll be worth it."

Richard Burke, executive director of the Oregon Libertarian Party, said they are not specifically targeting Republicans this election cycle, but members are unhappy with the way Minnis and House Majority Leader Wayne Scott, R-Canby, bottled up bills last session.

I don't know if this will draw votes from Minnis or Democrat Rob Brading. I'd love to see this race suck Minnis dry, however.

Any experts out there on the Wood Village district care to weigh in?