What's going to happen in November's general election in Oregon? U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, a former Speaker of the House, won't speculate.

Merkley said Monday, Aug. 30, that he has not kept up on state political races, focusing instead on the national midterm elections that could hit the Democrats hard in November.

"I don't have a good inside track on that," said the Portland Democrat. "I'll be calling up current Speaker Dave Hunt (a Clackamas County Democrat) and trying to get insights from him."

Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Kitzhaber told a town hall meeting Monday night that he planned to create thousands of jobs during his first year in office with a new proposal that invests in schools, saves energy, increases use of renewable energy and improves forest health.

“My jobs plan is about creating a brighter future for Oregon – beginning with immediate opportunities to create jobs that also invest in our schools, healthier forests and renewable energy,” Kitzhaber said during an Aug. 23 meeting in Portland to discuss the state’s jobs situation. “I will also help Oregon’s small and medium‐sized companies reach their job‐creating potential by helping businesses get the capital they need to grow and expand.”