In Oregon, the race for state executive leadership between John Kitzhaber (D) and Chris Dudley (R) has been seen as a nip and tuck contest between two high profile candidates (though recent polling shows a surge by Kitzhaber). Kitzhaber is a former Oregon Governor and Chris Dudley an NBA veteran of the Portland Trailblazers. John Kitzhaber has made energy efficiency investments a major plank in his campaign platform and the centerpiece of his job creation strategy for a state hard hit with unemployment. A recent Oregonian article www.oregonlive.com contrasted the Kitzhaber plan for statewide investment in school energy efficiency projects with the Dudley plan to create jobs through a reduction in the state’s capital gains tax. [Note: The Oregonian clearly needs a better understanding of the anatomy of an energy efficiency project given their reporting that it requires a “leap of faith” to see how an energy efficiency project creates jobs.] NEEC supports the Kitzhaber campaign plank and its focus on energy efficiency as potential driving force supporting that state’s economic recovery. Oregon also has a mail in ballot system for the Nov. 2nd election.