Will Oregon get its first Republican governor since Victor Atiyeh left office in 1987? Will first-term congressman Kurt Schrader survive a battle with state legislator Scott Bruun? What factors are uppermost in voters’ minds as we approach Election Day November 2?

With another possible sea change in political power looming, Oregon State University professor Bill Lunch will review the hottest races and prospects for Oregon politics in 2010 at the Corvallis City Club on October 11. He will take a look at the races that appear to be close or feature interesting issues or personalities. As of mid-September, those include the contest for governor and the congressional race in the 5th District (Kurt Schrader vs. Scott Bruun), which extends into Corvallis.

Lunch is chair of the OSU Department of Political Science and has been a Political Analyst for Oregon Public Broadcasting since 1988. In his academic work and teaching, he emphasizes American national political institutions, Northwest regional politics and environmental, natural resource and science policy. He has received awards for his commentary from the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Press Club.