Free rides galore.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Oregon politics have moved in a curious direction over the past few election cycles: there are fewer and fewer competitive contests in the primary election.

Yes, this year's race for governor features spirited contests in both major parties. On each side, three strong candidates - along with several unknowns - are vying for their party's nomination to set up a gangbuster face-off in November. The six are Democrats Jim Hill, Ted Kulongoski and Bev Stein, and Republicans Kevin Mannix, Jack Roberts and Ron Saxton. And there are four candidates each in the primary for state school superintendent and state labor commissioner, both nonpartisan offices.

But beyond those races, the primary election loses some of its usual luster.

Secretary of State Bill Bradbury is among three candidates for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, but Bradbury's two opponents, Craig Hanson of Hillsboro and Greg Haven of Portland, are novices. Incumbent Gordon Smith is unopposed on the Republican side. There are no primary contests in either party in the 1st Congressional District, represented by Democrat David Wu, or in the 4th District, represented by Democrat Peter DeFazio. Democrat Earl Blumenauer of the 3rd District is the only Oregon congressman facing a primary election challenge, and only Democrat Darlene Hooley of the 5th District faces the prospect of a serious challenge in the fall.

The lack of widespread primary competition is even more striking in legislative races.

Of 150 possible primary election contests in legislative races - 30 in the Senate and 120 in the House - there will be only 33. Four of those are in Lane County districts. In House District 7, Republican incumbent Reps. Cedric Hayden and Jeff Kruse will square off. In House District 11, Democratic incumbent Reps. Phil Barnhart and Al King will face each other. In House District 12, appointed incumbent Democratic Rep. Terry Beyer has a challenger, Rick Henson. And in House District 14, Republicans will choose between Pat Farr and Damon Wilson for their party's nomination.

In 12 legislative districts, there is only one one candidate of either major party - meaning that except for third-party or write-in challengers, the lone candidate will have a free ride into the Legislature. Three of those noncompetitive districts are wholly or partly within Lane County. Democratic incumbent Bill Morrisette is running solo in Senate District 6, without a Democratic or Republican opponent. Democratic Rep. Joanne Verger is running unopposed in House District 9 on the Coast. Democratic incumbent Robert Ackerman is the sole candidate in House District 13.

There are several reasons for the lack of primary competition this year. One is the power of incumbency. Incumbent legislators are usually well-known in their districts and have plenty of campaign money, which discourages would-be challengers. Another reason for the dearth of primary contests is that legislative service has become very time-consuming - most sessions last six months these days - and, far too often, highly partisan. Those factors are not attractive to would-be candidates who have jobs, family commitments and other interests.

Primary elections should be contested, so that public policy issues can be aired and the winning primary candidates can get their sea legs for the general election in the fall. But too many voters will have only one choice, or even none at all, when they go to choose their parties' nominees. That may be pleasing to the candidates, but it's bad for the voters.