Lake Oswego's Bob Tiernan Enters Republican Race For Governor

Lake Oswego, OR — Bob Tiernan stood in front of a homeless camp in Southwest Portland and explained why he not only wants to be governor, he thinks he's the best candidate for the job. He joins an already somewhat crowded Republican field.

"Too many Oregonians are struggling," said Tiernan, the former chairman of the Oregon Republican Party and former president of Grocery Outlet..

"I have the experience, education, knowledge and proven leadership, as demonstrated in my executive business, Navy and legislative careers to resolve Oregon's most serious problems and turn the state around. It can be done. It's time for real leadership with just results, no excuses.

Tiernan, a graduate of Georgetown Law, former Naval Intelligence officer, and member of the Oregon House of Representatives, was also the major force behind Measure 11, which established mandatory minimums in 1994.

"Reducing crime by having penalties has proven to work," he said, adding that while it's a solution, it's not the only one. "Public safety has to be the number one issue.

"If you don't feel safe in your home walking down Lake Oswego, walking to a restaurant, to the lake, going through George Rodgers Park, with your kids going to school. that's the number one function of government. We've been dropping the ball in Oregon."

With about $1 million on hand, Tiernan enters the field in a strong position to establish himself as a contender. Only Christine Drazan, who stepped down from the House to focus on her run and has already raised more than $1.2 million has deeper pockets.

Also in the race on the Republican side are anti-tax champion Bill Sizemore, Bridget Barton, a political consultant, Kerry Mcquisten, the mayor of Baker City, Bud Pierce, the oncologist from Salem who had the nomination and lost in 2016, and Stan Pulliam, the mayor of Sandy.

Pulliam may have been hurt by revelations last week that before he was in office, he and his wife had been involved in "swinging," trying to have hook-ups with other couples.