The Oregon Republican Party has set the time and place for picking a nominee to run for the state House in District 17.

It will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, at the Odd Fellows Hall in Scio.

Only elected precinct committee members are eligible to vote. There are 16 of those in the Linn County part of the district and 17 in Marion County.

Amy Langdon, executive director of the Oregon GOP, announced the arrangements Thursday afternoon.

Why hold the meeting Sunday? Because the Odd Fellows Hall is reserved for a wedding the day before and 10 days' notice is required to call the meeting, a deadline she could meet by having the notification to precinct members postmarked today.

Republicans need a new candidate to run against Democrat Dan Thackaberry, of Lebanon, because four-term Rep. Jeff Kropf, of Sublimity, withdrew.

Kropf had wanted Clint Bentz of Scio to run in his place, and Kropf's assistant had sent out a press release announcing Bentz' candidacy.

But Langdon said Bentz had notified her that after speaking to his family and to colleagues in his Stayton CPA firm, he decided he was not interested after all.

As of Thursday Langdon had received only one signed statement of willingness to accept the candidacy, from William C. Tucker of Lebanon.

But candidates can submit the form at the meeting, she said.

Others who have told Langdon or the Democrat-Herald they want to be considered are Rick Alexander of Lebanon, Tim Kirsch, the mayor of Mill City; and Dan Goffin, of Marion County. Langdon said she had misunderstood the name when she had initially reported Goffin's name as Dawson.

The public is welcome to attend the Scio meeting, Langdon said. She's been told the Odd Fellows Hall holds about 40 people, which she thinks will be enough for the precinct committee members and anyone else who wants to come.

Democrat-Herald